Emmanuel OchayiFormer Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha on Tuesday, February 13, alleged that signatures, including that of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, were forged to facilitate the withdrawal of $6,230,000 from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on February 8, 2023.
He made the revelation amid the ongoing trial of former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele.
Speaking during the trial, Mustapha asserted: “My signature was also forged. I knew nothing about the money reported to have been withdrawn for the payment of foreign election observers.” This assertion sheds new light on the controversial transaction, indicating potential fraudulent activities surrounding the withdrawal.
Mustapha further clarified that it was not within the purview of the federal government or the office of the SGF to request funds from the CBN for the payment of foreign election observers.
He emphasized that such matters fell solely under the jurisdiction of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The prosecution’s case took a dramatic turn when an official of the CBN, Michael Onyeka Ogbu, revealed on Monday that the substantial amount was disbursed in cash to an official from the SGF’s office named Jibril Abubakar.
Ogbu claimed that the disbursement followed approvals by both President Buhari and CBN governor Godwin Emefiele, allegedly in response to a request by the SGF.
The allegations against Emefiele, who stands accused of orchestrating the withdrawal, deepen the intrigue surrounding the scandal. With Mustapha’s testimony implicating the forgery of prominent signatures, the trial is poised to unravel layers of deceit and manipulation at the heart of the CBN withdrawal saga.
As the trial progresses, scrutiny intensifies on the intricacies of the transaction and the individuals involved, raising significant questions about accountability, transparency, and the integrity of financial processes within Nigeria’s government institutions.
