Ex-SGF Claims Buhari’s Signature Forged in $6.23 Million CBN Withdrawal

At the trial of the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, Boss Mustapha, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has testified that the signatures of both himself and ex-President Muhammadu Buhari were forged in connection with a fraudulent withdrawal of $6,230,000 from the CBN on February 8, 2023. The revelation came to light during Mustapha’s testimony on Tuesday, February 13, at a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama.

The contentious withdrawal, purportedly for the payment of foreign election observers, has been at the center of the allegations against Emefiele. Mustapha firmly denied any knowledge of the transaction, emphasizing that it was beyond the purview of the federal government or the SGF’s office to solicit funds from the CBN for such purposes. He clarified that the responsibility for managing election observers lies solely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), distancing his office from the transaction.

The court also heard from a CBN official, Michael Onyeka Ogbu, who disclosed that the cash was handed over to an official from the SGF’s office, identified as Jibril Abubakar, following what was believed to be legitimate approvals by President Buhari and then-CBN governor Emefiele. This withdrawal, based on a request allegedly made by the SGF, is now under scrutiny, with Emefiele accused of orchestrating the unauthorized disbursement.

Details to come…