A witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Eloho Okpoziakpo, has told a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory that police intelligence uncovered an alleged withdrawal of $6.23 million from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Speaking in court on Tuesday, Okpoziakpo said the money was reportedly withdrawn under the claim that it would be used to pay foreign election observers who monitored Nigeria’s 2023 general elections.
The witness, a Commissioner of Police, led a team working with a Special Investigation Panel set up to examine the activities of the CBN during the tenure of former governor Godwin Emefiele. He explained that detailed investigations helped uncover how the money was allegedly taken from the bank.
Testifying in the ongoing trial, the police officer told the court that key documents used to process the withdrawal were falsified. He said the signatures of former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, were forged to approve the release of the funds.
However, as of the latest court session, the witness did not directly link Emefiele to the withdrawal.
Led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the witness said the money was withdrawn from the Abuja branch of the apex bank. He added that a fake letter, said to be from the Office of the SGF, was used to give the impression that presidential approval had been granted.
According to him, investigations later showed that the SGF’s office denied issuing such a document. Despite this, the instruction was reportedly acted upon, leading to the release of the funds.
At this point, the trial judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, postponed further hearing to July 2 and 3, 2026, due to health reasons.
The prosecution also informed the court that the head of the investigation panel, Jim Obazee, who was expected to testify, could not be reached.
The EFCC is prosecuting Emefiele on a revised 20-count charge, including allegations of criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, and obtaining money under false pretence totaling $6.23 million.
The agency also accused him of granting unfair benefits to two firms—April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.
Emefiele has denied all the charges and pleaded not guilty.