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The Deputy Director responsible for Branch Operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Onyeka Ogbu has confirmed the disbursement of a $6.2 million payment request for international election observers.
Ogbu made the confirmation during a trial proceeding against the Ex-Governor, Godwin Emefiele at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama on Monday.
He affirmed that he meticulously reviewed the documents and subsequently granted approval for disbursement, which was promptly executed.
However, certain pages of the documents were found to be absent, prompting the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), to request a temporary halt to address the issue of the missing pages.
In response, the defendant's counsel, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), objected, arguing that the prosecution is bound by the evidence presented in the documents. Burkaa advocated for an adjournment to allow for the prosecution to obtain all certified true copies and for the witness to undergo cross-examination.
The trial involves the former governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele, who faces an amended set of 20 charges, including criminal conspiracy, conferring undue advantage, and breach of trust, among others, as filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Emefiele stands accused of allegedly impersonating the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to unlawfully obtain the sum of $6.2 million.
According to the EFCC, Emefiele purportedly forged a document titled: "Re: Presidential directive on foreign election observer missions," dated January 26, 2023, with Reference No. SGF.43/L.01/201.
Following the submissions from both sides, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the proceedings until Tuesday for the continuation of the trial.
