A prosecution witness on Thursday told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that a sum of $6.23m was allegedly withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria using forged documents during the tenure of the former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The witness, Bashirudden Maishanu, an Assistant Director at the apex bank and the 11th prosecution witness, testified before Justice Hamza Muazu in the ongoing trial instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against Emefiele.
Led in evidence by the EFCC’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, Maishanu said the cash was withdrawn from the Garki branch of the CBN on February 8, 2023.
He told the court that in January 2023, he was approached by one Alhaji Ahmed, who claimed to be working with a special committee under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
According to him, Ahmed said he was acting on the instruction of Eric Ocheme, described as Emefiele’s personal assistant at the time.
Maishanu testified that Ahmed informed him that presidential approval had allegedly been secured for the transaction and that Emefiele’s consent was the final requirement.
He added that Ahmed requested the funds to be paid in cash and asked him to either accompany the transaction or nominate someone to do so.
The witness said he declined to accompany the payment but recommended someone else.
He further told the court that following the cash withdrawal on February 8, Ahmed allegedly left with $2.5m, while another $2.5m was left in the custody of himself and two others.
“I saw the money and was shocked because there was no agreement for any form of payment,” he said, adding that he advised those with him to keep the cash pending clarification.
Maishanu said the funds were purportedly meant to cover election-related expenses, including payments to election observers.
While responding to questions on internal controls at the CBN, the witness said staff members found culpable of misconduct could face sanctions ranging from warnings to dismissal, depending on the severity of the offence, as determined by a disciplinary committee.
He added that he was not sanctioned by the CBN board over the incident.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Matthew Burkaa, Maishanu said although he did not personally witness the signing of the approval, he was convinced the documents used were forged.
He explained that cash withdrawals of such magnitude were subject to strict procedures, adding that all officials involved in the transaction could be identified through internal documentation bearing their signatures.
The witness admitted that he was not involved in election monitoring and initially did not know the transaction was fraudulent.
He told the court that he later came across forged documents linked to the withdrawal and described the incident as a “set-up,” while accepting responsibility for his role.
Justice Muazu adjourned the matter till January 30, 2026, for the continuation of trial.