CBN Deputy Director Denies Receiving Instructions from Emefiele to Pay $6.2 Million to Poll Observers

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In the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, a Deputy Director and Head of the Service Delivery Division at the CBN, Michael Onyeka Ogbu, testified in court, stating that Emefiele never directed him to pay $6,230,000 to international election observers prior to the 2023 general election. Ogbu also claimed that the transaction was not fraudulent to his knowledge and that the money was paid to a staff member in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

On the other hand, former SGF Boss Mustapha, who testified as the fifth prosecution witness, denied that President Muhammadu Buhari or his office had any involvement in the alleged transaction. Mustapha emphasized that it was not the practice of the presidency to make such demands, and the responsibility of election observers lies with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and not the federal government.

The trial against Emefiele involves an amended 20-count charge, including allegations of criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretense, and obtaining money by false pretense. The charges claim that Emefiele forged a document and obtained $6,230,000 by falsely representing a presidential directive.

Ogbu’s testimony supports Emefiele’s defense, denying his direct involvement and claiming that he acted based on the authorization and documents provided. Mustapha’s denial further distances the presidency and himself from the alleged transaction, asserting that the documents in question were forged, and the content does not conform to the standard procedures of the office of the SGF.

The trial continues as the court examines the evidence and testimonies presented by both the defense and the prosecution.