An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness has told an Abuja High Court that former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele did not personally benefit from the alleged $6.2 million fraud currently before the court.

The witness, CP Okpoziakpo Eloho, who is the prosecution’s 14th witness and led the police investigation into the case, made the disclosure during cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Matthew Burkaa (SAN). According to him, none of the individuals questioned during the investigation stated that Emefiele benefited from the disputed funds.

Eloho further testified that Jibril Abubakar admitted collecting the $6.2 million from the Abuja branch of the CBN while falsely claiming to be a staff member of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). Investigators later established that he was never employed by the SGF’s office.

The witness also disclosed that another CBN staff member, Bashirudeen Maishanu, allegedly confessed to stealing the money. He acknowledged that internal procedures and official protocols were breached during the processing and release of the funds, adding that correspondence originating from the CBN Governor should ordinarily have passed through the Deputy Governor before reaching lower officials.

During the proceedings, the witness stated that Emefiele denied authorising the release of the funds or receiving any correspondence from former SGF Boss Mustapha relating to the transaction. He also suggested that it would have been appropriate for investigators to conduct a forensic examination of Emefiele’s signature, similar to the analysis carried out on Mustapha’s signature.

Following arguments over the admissibility of additional documents during re-examination, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case until Friday for the continuation of trial.