JUST IN: Documents Emefiele used to request $6.2m payment for observers forged - Analyst

A forensic analyst has confirmed that the documents former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele used to request the payment of $ 6.2 million for foreign election observers were forged.

The analyst stated this on Thursday when the trial of the former apex bank chief resumed before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.

The witness, Bamaiyi Meriga, called by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), informed the court that following forensic analysis of the disputed documents, he discovered that there was clear evidence of forgery of signature, and the seal of execution was different from the original.

He also confirmed that the signatures were not those of former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Secretary General of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.

The two documents, Presidential Directive on Foreign Observer Election and Presidential Directive on Foreign Observer Election, were tendered in evidence and were admitted in evidence by the trial judge, Justice Muazu.

Under cross-examination by counsel for Emefiele, the witness said he was not a staff of the EFCC and was not being paid by the anti-graft agency, but his salary was domiciled with the Nigeria Immigration Service.

Counsel for Emefiele, Matthew Burkaa, expressed displeasure over the witness's conduct, saying that the witness misled the court by evading questions.

The trial has been adjourned till March 11 for continuation.

Emefiele is standing trial before Justice Muazu 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 accused of impersonating former SGF Mustapha to obtain a sum of $6.2m illegally.

In mid-February, ex-SGF Mustapha testified before the court.

He said he knew nothing about the transaction until he left office at the end of May 2023, adding that having served for five years and seven months, the document in contention didn't emanate from the office of then-President Buhari.