Abuja, March 7, 2024 – Forensic report has confirmed that the documents used to request the payment for $6.2 million for foreign election observers were forged.
This was the submission of the forensic expert as the trial of Godwin Emefiele, a former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, continued on Thursday.
The trial is before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja
Bamaiyi Meriga, the forensic expert called by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said he found out, through forensic analysis, that there was clear evidence of forgery of signature and that the seal of execution was different.
He also said the signatures were not those of former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Secretary General of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
The two documents with the same title, Presidential Directive on Foreign Observer Election and Presidential Directive on Foreign Observer Election, were admitted as evidence by the trial judge.
During cross-examination by Emefiele’s lawyers, the expert said he was an employee of the Nigeria Immigration Service, but not an employee of the EFCC nor receiving any pay from the EFCC.
The trial has been adjourned until March 11.
Emefiele is being tried on 20-count amended charges bordering on corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and obtaining by false pretences to the tune of $6,230,000.
He was also accused of impersonating the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to illegally obtain a sum of $6.2 million from the CBN. (GBN)
