Crisis deepens for Emefiele as forensic analyst confirms forgery in $6.2million scandal

The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor Godwin Emefiele continued on Thursday before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.

Emefiele is on trial before Justice Muazu on 20 revised accusations of corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and gaining by false pretenses totaling $6,230,000.

A forensic expert revealed at the resumed hearing that a paper requesting $6.2 million in payment for foreign election monitors was fabricated.

The witness, Bamaiyi Meriga, called by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, informed the court that after forensic analysis of the disputed documents, he discovered clear evidence of signature forgery, as well as a seal of execution that differed from the original.

He further stated that former President Muhammadu Buhari and Boss Mustapha, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, did not sign the document.

The trial judge, Justice Muazu, admitted two documents as evidence, including the presidential directive on foreign observers.

Under cross-examination by Emefiele’s attorney, the witness stated that he was not an EFCC employee and that his salary was not paid by the anti-graft agency, but rather by the Nigeria Immigration Service.

Emefiele’s counsel, Matthew Burkaa, expressed concern with the witness’s conduct, claiming that the witness deceived the court by ducking questions.

However, Rotimi Oyedepo, the prosecution lawyer, was dissatisfied with the assertions made by the defence counsel.

The trial has been delayed until March 11 for continuation.