The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) insisted on Monday that the signatures of late former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, were forged by “unscrupulous Nigerians” to defraud the country of $6,230,000 from the coffers of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Testifying as the 13th prosecution witness at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, EFCC Assistant Commander II, Mr. Chinedu Eneanya, told Justice Hamza Muazu that his investigative team discovered that five CBN officials moved the money out of the apex bank under the false guise of paying foreign election observers for the 2023 general elections.
Forensic Evidence
The prosecution insisted that the approvals for the fund release were based on documents bearing forged signatures. Eneanya told the court that forensic analysis had been conducted on the documents, which “established that the two signatures were forged”.
However, under cross-examination by defence counsel Matthew Burkaa, SAN, the witness made key admissions. He noted that no forensic test was conducted on Emefiele’s signature, despite the former CBN governor’s claim that his signature was also forged. The witness also confirmed that the five CBN officials who endorsed the internal memo were suspended by the bank but are not currently standing trial alongside Emefiele.
High-Stakes Legal Battle Looms
Emefiele is being prosecuted on a 20-count amended charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, and conspiracy to obtain by false pretence. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The case, marked FCT/HC/CR/577/2023, has been adjourned until Tuesday, April 28, 2026, for the continuation of the trial. However, the proceedings took a contentious turn when the prosecution indicated it might face challenges bringing its remaining witnesses to court, prompting the defence to seek a foreclosure of the case.
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