By Paul Joseph
A special investigator appointed by President Bola Tinubu, Jim Obazee, has called for the prosecution of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, and a posthumous trial of former President Muhammadu Buhari over the alleged $6.2 million fraud involving the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Obazee made the call on Friday while testifying as the 15th prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, before an Abuja High Court.
Emefiele is facing charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), including criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy, abuse of office and obtaining money by false pretence over the alleged release of $6.2 million purportedly meant for international election observers during the 2023 general elections.
During his testimony, Obazee argued that Emefiele should not be the only person facing prosecution, insisting that others allegedly connected to the transaction should also be charged.
He specifically named former SGF Boss Mustapha, late former President Buhari, Jibril Abubakar, who allegedly collected the funds on behalf of the SGF’s office, Bashirudeen Maishanu, a CBN official said to have refunded $856,500 to the investigation panel, and former members of the CBN board.
According to Obazee, the Abuja branch of the CBN released the funds without conducting the required due diligence, adding that the naira equivalent of the dollar request ought to have been deposited before the money was disbursed.
He further argued that the alleged fraud should have been detected through the CBN’s annual financial statements if the relevant officials had performed their responsibilities diligently.
Under cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa (SAN), Obazee admitted that he did not recover any money directly from the former CBN governor. However, he maintained that Emefiele should have been aware of the transaction, arguing that the bank’s internal systems, including CCTV surveillance and the Bank Verification Number (BVN) platform, could have been used to verify those who collected the funds.
Obazee also told the court that President Tinubu appointed him on December 19, 2023, to investigate and prepare chargeable offences relating to the alleged $6.2 million transaction.
Following the witness’ testimony, Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), announced the closure of the prosecution’s case after calling 15 witnesses.
Counsel to Emefiele informed the court that the defence would file a no-case submission.
Justice Hamza Muazu subsequently adjourned the matter until October 20 for the adoption of final addresses.
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