How Emefiele Approved Theft of $6.23m from CBN Branch – Witness

 

 

Commissioner of Police Eloho Edwin Okpoziakpo has said that the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, approved the $6.23 million that was stolen from the apex bank’s Abuja branch.

 

Emefiele, charged by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), is facing criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence while serving as CBN governor.

 

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

 

During resumed proceedings in the trial of the former apex bank governor, Okpoziakpo, who was the 14th prosecution witness, testified before Justice Hamza Muazu at the FCT High Court on Thursday. He stated that the investigating panel saw the memo in which the former governor approved the release of the money.

 

During the proceedings, Counsel to Emefiele, Mathew Burka (SAN), cross-examined the witness, focusing on the investigation, documentary evidence, and the alleged role played by Emefiele in the transaction.

 

The commissioner of Police told the court that “We saw the approval by the Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele. It was contained in the memo referenced BKS/PR/COM/Q/OSIS/045 to the Branch Controller of the Abuja branch of the CBN under the title, Re: Presidential directive on Foreign Election Observers

 

 

He described the entire process of releasing the money collected by Jubril Abubakar from the CBN branch as fraudulent.

 

The Commissioner stated that the correct protocol was not followed when releasing funds to Abubakar. He added that Emefiele approved the memo, bypassing the Deputy Governors and going directly to the Director. Okpoziakpo affirmed his understanding of the CBN’s structure, citing his involvement in the investigating panel, adding that “it was a red flag if normal protocol is not followed”.

 

He told the court that Emefiele was questioned at the Kuje correctional centre and denied approving the release of the money.

 

The Commissioner of Police quoted Emefiele’s statement from the Kuje correctional centre, stating, “I have been shown a letter from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha addressed to me on the subject. I did not see or review the letter addressed to me in my capacity as the CBN Governor. The signature is not mine, and I did not ask anyone to treat it as urgent.

 

The Police Commissioner told the Court that he was present when the Special Investigator interrogated Boss Mustapha, who also denied that the signature was his.

 

He told the court that the EFCC would have conducted a forensic test on Boss Mustapha’s signature but did not do so on Emefiele.

 

He said he was not shocked that Emefiele’s signature was not subjected to a forensic test because they had dealt with several documents bearing the ex-governor’s signature and could have determined its consistency.

 

“While a forensic examination of Emefiele’s signature would have been ideal, it’s understandable if the EFCC didn’t pursue one. In investigations with multiple signed documents, signature consistency can be established. A forensic test becomes more crucial when only a single document is available.”

 

Emefiele’s counsel questioned if the investigating panel found the former CBN Governor benefited from stolen money. The police commissioner replied negatively but noted Emefiele had dominion over all funds as CBN Governor.

 

“While he was the CBN governor, he had dominion over funds, and the release of funds carried the weight of the approval of his office”, he said.

 

While being cross-examined by Emefiele’s counsel, the Police Commissioner was shocked to learn that Bashirudeen Maishanu, who had confessed to stealing the money, had been promoted by the CBN.

 

Following the conclusion of the cross-examination, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), briefly re-examined the witness on issues raised by the defence, seeking clarification on aspects of the investigation and the documentary exhibits already admitted by the court.

 

After hearing both sides, Justice Hamza Mu’azu adjourned the case until Friday, July 3, 2026, when President Bola Tinubu’s Special Investigator, Jim Obazee who was subpoenaed by the court, will start giving testimony in the trial.