Forensic expert tells court Buhari, ex-SGF’s signatures forged to move $6.2m from CBN
A forensic expert seconded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Bamaiyi Haruna has disclosed that the analysis conducted on the documents used to release $6.2million from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in February 2023 showed that they were forged.
The EFCC on had alleged that on February 8, 2023, a former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, connived with one Odoh Ocheme, who is now on the run, to obtain $6.2million from the CBN, claiming that it was requested by the SGF “vide a letter dated 26th January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/.
The forensic expert confirmed on Thursday before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that the documents used to request the payment of $6.2million for foreign election observers were forged.
The witness, Meriga, called by EFCC, informed the court that following forensic analysis of the disputed documents, he discovered that there was clear evidence of forgery of signature, and the seal of execution were different from the original.
Continuing the trial of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, a forensic analyst has confirmed that the document used to request payment of $6.2 million to foreign election observers was forged.#ChannelsTVNews pic.twitter.com/tx0wTIsCIt
He also confirmed that the signature were not those of former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Secretary General of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
The two documents, Presidential Directive on Foreign Observer Election and Presidential Directive on Foreign Observer Election tendered in evidence were admitted in evidence by the trial judge, Justice Muazu.
Under cross-examination by counsel for Emefiele, the witness said he was not a staff of the EFCC, and was not being paid by the anti-graft agency but his salary was domiciled with the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Counsel for Emefiele, Matthew Burkaa, expressed displeasure over the conduct of the witness, saying that the witness misled the court by evading questions.
However, the Prosecution Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, was not happy with the defence counsel.
The trial has been adjourned till March 11 for continuation.
Emefiele is standing trial before Justice Muazu on 20-count amended charges bordering on corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery and obtaining by false pretenses to the tune of $6,230,000.
He was accused of impersonating the SGF to illegally obtain a sum of $6.2m.
Mid-February, ex-SGF Mustapha testified before the court and said he knew nothing about the transaction up till the time he left office at the end of May 2023, adding that having served for five years and seven months, the document in contention didn’t emanate from the office of the then President Buhari.
