Emefiele’s Trial: Tinubu’s Investigator Demands Prosecution Of Buhari, Ex-SGF, Others

A Special Investigator appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Jim Obazee, has called for the posthumous prosecution of late President Muhammadu Buhari and the trial of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, over the alleged $6.23 million Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) fraud.

Obazee, who testified as the 15th prosecution witness in the trial of former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, before an Abuja High Court, said Emefiele should not be the only person standing trial in the matter.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Emefiele on charges bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence while serving as CBN governor.

Emefiele is accused of allegedly obtaining $6.23m by false pretence, said to be funds meant for international election observers during the 2023 general election.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Obazee described the matter as unfortunate, saying more than 10 persons were allegedly involved.

“The situation in Nigeria is a very unfortunate one, especially for the Federal Government to have put only Emefiele on trial in an alleged fraud that involved more than 10 people,” he said.

He demanded that Mustapha be made to answer questions in court over documents allegedly linked to the request for the release of the funds.

Obazee also called for the prosecution of the manager of the CBN Abuja branch, alleging that the funds were released without proper due diligence.

He further demanded the arrest and prosecution of Jibril Abubakar, who allegedly collected the money purportedly on the authority of the SGF’s office.

The witness also named Bashirudeen Maishanu, a current CBN staff member, who he said admitted involvement and refunded $856,500 to the special investigation panel.

“For actions and inactions, Buhari ought to be charged and must be charged along with Emefiele in this fraud, even if posthumously, since national honours are given posthumously,” Obazee said.

“Whatever you are doing to Emefiele by way of prosecution ought to have been done to Buhari, Mustapha, Maishanu and former board members of the CBN under Emefiele.”

Under cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burka (SAN), Obazee admitted that he did not recover any money from the former CBN governor.

He, however, said Emefiele was presumed to have knowledge of the alleged fraud because of his position at the apex bank.

According to him, the use of CCTV and the Bank Verification Number portal at the CBN Abuja branch before the release of the money would have revealed those involved.

He added that the alleged disappearance of the money ought to have been detected in the CBN’s annual financial statements if officials in charge had been diligent.

Obazee also told the court that President Tinubu invited him on December 19, 2023, to prepare charges against Emefiele in connection with the alleged $6.23m fraud.

After Obazee’s testimony, Oyedepo informed the court that the prosecution was closing its case.

Emefiele’s lawyer said the defence would file a no-case submission.

Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the matter until October 20 for adoption of addresses.