By Isaac Akerele
Former Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Confirmed to a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday that $6.2m was released from the Central Bank of Nigeria in February 2023 using a forged document.
Mr. Mustapha who testified as fourth prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, claims that the documents for the release of funds neither came from his office nor the President’s
Recall that The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that on former CBN Governor, Emefiele on 8th, February 2023, connived with a certain Odoh Ocheme to obtain $6.2m from the CBN. The request claimed that the said sum was requested by the SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, via a letter dated 26th January 2023, Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/
The EFCC as well alleged that Mr. Emefiele, in January 2023, forged a document entitled : “RE: PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS”, dated 26th, January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.
Mr Mustapha in his testimony denies receiving any amount from the money. Neither has he, according to him, come across the documents Buhari allegedly signed. He added that From the face value of the said document, and having served for five years and seven months as SGF, the document did not originate from the president.
Such documents, according to the SGF, would have included A correspondence bearing the seal of the President without a reference number, as the seal is the authority.
Noting further he said “Secondly, I have looked at it and read, that FEC decisions are not transmitted by letters. They are transmitted through extracts after conclusions are adopted.
“Thirdly, I am the custodian of FEC, the president will not refer executives’ conclusions to me”
The Former SGF stating further, said “In all the five years and seven months, I have never heard of the terms special appropriation provision referred to. The terms known to me, my lord, are appropriation as provided by the appropriation act normally passed by the national assembly and when the government file drafts it brings supplementary appropriation.
“In all the correspondences I have received from Buhari, it has never had ‘please accept the assurance of my highest regard’. I am his subordinate, my correspondences do not carry that.
And lastly, looking at the signature, it is a failed attempt at reproducing Buhari’s signature. I will leave that to the experts”
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