The Federal Capital Territory (FCT)High Court, yesterday, admitted evidence from the Federal Government in the alleged $6.2 million fraud suit against former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
At the proceedings, a forensic expert and document analyst, Bamaiyi Haruna, presented a report relating to the disputed signature that authorised the release in February 2023.
Led in evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), he told the court that the purported signatures of erstwhile President Muhammadu Buhari and ex- Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, that were used to release the money were forged.
The prosecuting witness and staff of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), currently on secondment to the EFCC also tendered specimens of fake and authentic signatures.
During cross-examination, lawyer to the respondent, Mathew Burkaa (SAN), asked Haruna if the analysed signature included that of the respondent’s, and his response was in the negative.
He said the analysis was limited to requests by the anti-graft agency.
Burkaa asked the witness how the court would determine whether the two signatures were similar or different, but Haruna said the report would speak more about that.
EFFC, had in the suit, alleged that on February 8, 2023, Emefiele connived with one Odoh Ocheme, currently at large, to obtain $6.2 million from the CBN, claiming that it was requested by the then SGF “vide a letter dated January 26, 2023, with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/.
The prosecution also alleged that Emefiele, in January 2023, forged a document titled: “RE: PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS,” dated January 26, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.
Consequently, the trial judge, Justice Hamza Mauzu, adjourned further hearing to March 11.
