By Paul Joseph
A prosecution witness in the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele, has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court that investigators found no evidence linking him to any personal benefit from the alleged theft of $6.23 million from the apex bank.
The witness, Commissioner of Police Okpoziakpo Eloho, made the disclosure on Thursday while being cross-examined by Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa (SAN).
According to Eloho, investigations did not uncover any evidence that Emefiele received any portion of the funds, either through cash payments or bank transfers, from those accused of stealing the money.
Emefiele is standing trial over allegations bordering on procurement fraud and abuse of office before the FCT High Court.
During proceedings, the police commissioner told the court that Emefiele denied authorising the release of the funds and also denied receiving any letter from former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, relating to the transaction.
The witness further revealed that one Jibril Abubakar admitted during the investigation that he collected the $6.2 million from the Abuja branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria. He added that none of the suspects questioned implicated Emefiele as a beneficiary of the alleged theft.
Eloho also told the court that investigators later established Abubakar was not an employee of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, despite his claim to the contrary.
He further stated that another CBN staff member, Bashirudeen Maishanu, allegedly confessed to taking part in the theft during questioning. However, the witness said he was unaware whether either Abubakar or Maishanu had been prosecuted over the alleged offence.
The police commissioner acknowledged that official procedures appeared to have been breached in approving the release of the funds. He also said that while forensic analysis was conducted on Boss Mustapha’s signature after allegations of forgery, a similar examination of Emefiele’s disputed signature would have been appropriate.
Justice adjourned the matter until July 3 for the continuation of trial.
The allegations against Emefiele remain before the court, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by the court.
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