Uche Amunike
Lifeandtimes News Writer
The 11th prosecution witness, Bashirudden Muhammed Maishanu, stated, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, yesterday, that $6.23 million was allegedly withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) with forged documents under the watch of the former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Maishanu, who is an Assistant Director at the CBN, testified before Justice Hamza Muazu, stating that the cash was withdrawn from the Garki branch of the Central Bank on February 8, 2023, purportedly to fund election observers and logistics.
The witness, who was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel and Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), stated that he got acquainted with Godwin Emefiele in 2015, through one Eric who was identified as the personal assistant of the former governor.
According to him, in early January 2023, one Alhaji Ahmed approached him and claimed to be working with a special committee in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
He explained that Ahmed informed him that they were processing a payment from the CBN, based on presidential approval.
His words: ‘I demanded his identification and also asked him to call Mr Eric to confirm his claim.’
‘When Mr Eric confirmed knowing him, Ahmed explained that once presidential approval was obtained, payment would be processed through the CBN.’
A week after that, Ahmed allegedly returned with what he claimed was presidential approval and informed Maishanu that they would seek Godwin Emefiele’s consent for a cash withdrawal. Then, Ahmed requested his help or recommendation of someone who could accompany them for the cash transaction.
Maishanu told the court that he refused to participate, but however introduced a friend and on February 8, 2023, the friend and his driver withdrew $6.23 million from the CBN branch in Garki.
‘After the withdrawal, my friend told me that Ahmed left with $2.5 million in cash alongside others’, he narrated.
The witness stated that the remaining cash was brought to his friends’ residence at Ibrahim Coomasie Crescent in Abuja, where he described the amount left behind as ‘outrageous’.
He further said: ‘I told my friends that we should keep the money because we never negotiated for any payment with Ahmed.’
When he was cross-examined by defense counsel, Matthew Burker (SAN), Maishanu stated that he was certain that the approval was fraudulent, because the CBN has elaborate procedures for payments, especially for cash transactions of that magnitude.
He also admitted that he received part of the $2.5 million left behind but insisted that it was not his personal share and that he did not initially know that the transaction was a fraudulent one.
He also stated that he eventually saw false documents shown to him by one Mr. Obazi, adding that he accepted responsibility because of his involvement.
He also explained the apex bank’s disciplinary process, explaining that sanctions for erring officials range from warnings to dismissal, following investigations by a disciplinary committee.
He however added that he was not sanctioned by the CBN board over the matter, but informed the court that while he did not personally witness the approval signature, the withdrawal was traceable through internal documentation bearing signatures of all the officials involved.
He also stated that approvals for such transactions, rest with the CBN Governor, or the Committee of Governors.
