In a testimony presented before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, Abuja, Ogbu Onyeka Michael, identified as the First Prosecution Witness (PW1), disclosed the process by which former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, sanctioned the disbursement of $6,230,000 (Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand Dollars) in cash for international election observers during the 2023 general election.
Michael, a former branch controller of the CBN’s Abuja branch, elucidated the sequence of events during the ongoing trial of Emefiele, who faces a litany of charges including corrupt practices, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and obtaining by false pretenses amounting to $6,230,000.00 (Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand United States Dollars).
During the trial session, Michael attested to the authenticity of documents presented by the prosecution, asserting his role in processing them.
He recounted how, on January 8, 2023, a request for the payment of $6,230,000 arrived at his office, bearing the approval of the CBN’s top hierarchy for disbursement in cash to support international election observation efforts.
Detailing the process further, Michael noted that the request came via the banking services department, accompanied by a memo signed by the Director of Banking Services.
The directive indicated that the specified sum be paid to a staff member of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for election observance purposes.
Additionally, the memo outlined instructions for the cash payment in the naira equivalent and stipulated reimbursement by the Federal Ministry of Finance in the second quarter of 2023.
Michael emphasized the presence of approvals from both the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the document.
Upon thorough review and confirmation of compliance, Michael forwarded the paperwork to the head of the banking services unit for processing and subsequent payment.
He confirmed that the payment, executed on April 8, 2023, was made in cash and bore his signature.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution, represented by Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, sought to tender six documents as exhibits, encountering objections from the defense counsel, Mathew Bukka (SAN) regarding the authenticity of photocopies.
Consequently, Oyedepo requested a brief adjournment to secure original copies from the CBN complex.
Despite objections, Justice Muazu granted the adjournment, scheduling the continuation of the trial for February 13, 2024.