FORMER CBN GOVERNOR EMEFIELE DENIES FRAUD AS WITNESS TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR $2.5M WITHDRAWAL
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, took a dramatic turn on Thursday when a witness in the case claimed responsibility for the $2.5 million allegedly withdrawn fraudulently from the apex bank.
Emefiele, who led the CBN from 2014 to 2023, is facing a 20-count charge over alleged procurement fraud totaling about N1.2 billion. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) also accused him of obtaining $6.23 million under false pretences, claiming it was meant for international election observers during the 2023 general elections.
During proceedings, the EFCC presented its 11th witness, Mr. Bashirudeen Maishanu, a Deputy Director in CBN’s Banking Supervision Department. While being cross-examined, Maishanu admitted that he personally withdrew $2.5 million from the total $6.23 million, claiming he was inadvertently involved and unaware the transaction was fraudulent until confronted with documents by a presidential investigator, Mr. Jim Obaze.
“The disappearance of the $6.23 million rests on me. I was inadvertently involved and did not know it was a fraud,” Maishanu told the court. He added that he did not meet Emefiele, nor did he hand any money to him, and that all instructions came from Emefiele’s personal assistant, Mr. Eric Ocheme, who is currently at large.
Maishanu explained that although he became suspicious when a portion of the money was shared among others, he never officially reported the “gift” to the CBN. He confirmed that he was suspended by the bank but was not charged, and that he has refunded a large portion of the $2.5 million to the federal government.
The witness further recounted that in January 2023, Ocheme sent an intermediary, Ahmed, to involve him in the cash transaction, which allegedly had the President’s approval. He testified that on February 8, 2023, Ahmed and his friend withdrew the $6.23 million from CBN’s Garki, Abuja branch, and distributed $2.5 million among themselves, describing the amount as “outrageous.”
Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the trial until Friday for further proceedings.
The EFCC’s amended charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/577/2023, also alleges that Emefiele illegally awarded contracts for 43 vehicles between 2018 and 2020 worth N1.2 billion and gave a corrupt advantage to a CBN staff member, Mrs. Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro, through her company, April 1616 Investment Ltd, for the procurement of 37 Toyota Hilux vehicles valued at N854 million.
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