The trial of former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele continued on Tuesday as a prosecution witness told the Federal Capital Territory High Court that suspects confessed to the alleged fraudulent withdrawal of $6.23 million from the apex bank.
Mr Emefiele is standing trial before Justice Hamza Muazu at the Maitama Division on an amended 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy, and obtaining money by false pretence.
Witness testimony
The 14th prosecution witness, Eloho Okpoziakpo, a Commissioner of Police with the Special Fraud Unit, Lagos, told the court he was part of an investigative team assisting the special investigator, Jim Obaze, appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Mr Okpoziakpo said his role included taking statements, interrogating suspects, and providing intelligence to support the investigation.
Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), he stated that intelligence reports indicated the funds were withdrawn from the CBN Abuja branch with the defendant’s approval.
“Investigation revealed that the money was fraudulently taken because some of the suspects, including Maishanu, who we investigated, confessed,” he said.
Alleged fraud details
According to the prosecution, the $6.23 million was purportedly meant for international election observers during the 2023 general elections.
However, Mr Okpoziakpo told the court that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation denied making any such request.
“The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation denied ever requesting money for election observers… We wrote to them, and they responded,” he said.
The witness added that the withdrawal was supported by documents, including a letter conveying purported presidential approval by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He identified Exhibit PD6 as the request for the release of funds directed to Emefiele, and Exhibit PD7 as the purported approval dated 24 January 2023.
Evidence and recovery
Mr Okpoziakpo further testified that he personally recovered Exhibits PD1 to PD5 from the Abuja branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He said Exhibit PD1 detailed the disbursement of the funds in $100 denominations on 8 February 2023, while Exhibit PD2 was a memo from the Director of Banking Services approving the payment.
He added that the request was processed and the money subsequently paid.
EFCC charges and defence
The case is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which accused Mr Emefiele of conferring corrupt advantages on two firms, April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.
The defendant, however, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Subpoena and additional witnesses
Earlier, the court had issued a subpoena dated 27 April 2026, summoning both Mr Okpoziakpo and Mr Obaze to testify.
The subpoena directed them to appear on 28 April 2026, and to tender newspaper publications relating to the naira redesign policy as part of the proceedings.
“You are therefore summoned to appear before this Court… and so soon thereafter from day to day until the above cause is tried,” the document read.
Following the testimony, Justice Muazu adjourned the case until 2 July 2026, for continuation of hearing.
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