A forensic analyst has verified that the documents utilized by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele to request a $6.2 million payment for foreign election observers were indeed forged.
During the trial of the former apex bank chief before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, the witness, Bamaiyi Meriga, summoned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), revealed that after conducting forensic analysis of the disputed documents, clear evidence of signature forgery was found, along with discrepancies in the seal of execution compared to the original.
Meriga further affirmed that the signatures did not match those of former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Secretary General of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
The two documents, titled “Presidential Directive on Foreign Observer Election,” were presented as evidence and accepted by the trial judge, Justice Muazu.
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During cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Matthew Burkaa, Meriga clarified that he was not an EFCC staff and was not compensated by the anti-graft agency, but received his salary through the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the witness’s conduct, Burkaa accused Meriga of misleading the court by evading questions.The trial has been adjourned until March 11 for further proceedings.Emefiele faces a 20-count amended charge including corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and obtaining by false pretenses amounting to $6,230,000.
He stands accused of impersonating former SGF Mustapha to unlawfully obtain the sum of $6.2 million.In mid-February, ex-SGF Mustapha testified in court, asserting his unawareness of the transaction until the end of his tenure in May 2023.
He emphasized that, having served for over five years, the contested document did not originate from the office of former President Buhari.
