Mr Jim Obazee, the special investigator appointed by President Bola Tinubu, has called for wider prosecution in the alleged $6.23 million fraud case involving former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Obazee made the call while testifying before an Abuja High Court as the 15th prosecution witness in Emefiele’s ongoing trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Emefiele over allegations bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.
The case relates to the alleged withdrawal of $6.23 million from the Central Bank of Nigeria, reportedly meant for international election observers during the 2023 general election.
Emefiele has pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him.
Led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Obazee told the court that it was wrong for only Emefiele to be standing trial in a matter he claimed involved several other persons.
He alleged that more than 10 people were connected to the controversial transaction and should also be brought before the court.
Obazee said the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and some officials of the CBN should be linked to the prosecution process.
He also called for the trial of the manager of the Abuja branch of the CBN, where the funds were allegedly released.
According to him, the money should not have been released without proper due diligence and full compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria Act.
The witness said the naira equivalent of the $6.23 million, put at about N2.8 billion, ought to have been properly deposited and processed before any release was made.
Obazee also named Jibril Abubakar, who was alleged to have collected the funds on the purported authority of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
He further mentioned Bashirudeen Maishanu, a current staff member of the CBN, whom he said had admitted involvement and returned $856,500 to the special investigation panel.
The prosecution witness told the court that anyone whose action or inaction contributed to the alleged fraud should be made to face the law.
He argued that Buhari should be included posthumously in the matter, while Mustapha and others should be brought to court to answer questions over their alleged roles.
Obazee rejected earlier denials of involvement by the Presidency and the former SGF’s office.
He said Mustapha had denied signing documents from his office that allegedly initiated the request for the $6.23 million.
The witness insisted that the prosecution of all persons connected to the matter would serve as a deterrent and help reduce corruption in Nigeria.
Under cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa, SAN, Obazee told the court that he did not recover any money directly from the former CBN governor.
He, however, said Emefiele should have known about the transaction because of his position as CBN governor.
Obazee said the alleged fraud could have been detected if security systems, including CCTV and the Bank Verification Number portal at the CBN Abuja branch, had been properly used before the money was released.
He also said the disappearance of the funds should have been identified in the annual financial statement of the CBN if the officials responsible had exercised proper diligence.
The witness told the court that President Tinubu invited him on December 19, 2023, to prepare chargeable offences relating to the alleged $6.23 million transaction.
After Obazee’s testimony, Oyedepo informed the court that the prosecution was closing its case with the 15th witness.
Emefiele’s counsel, Burkaa, also told the court that the defence would file a no-case submission.
Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the matter until October 20 for adoption of written addresses.
The case has continued to attract public attention because of the high-profile individuals mentioned and the alleged involvement of top government and CBN officials in the controversial transaction.
