$6.23m Fraud Case: Police Commissioner Testifies Against Emefiele at Abuja Court

Prosecution witness alleges fraudulent disbursement linked to CBN under former governor

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By A1 News Desk | Abuja, Nigeria

A Commissioner of Police, Eloho Okpozikbo, has testified before an FCT High Court in Maitama in the ongoing $6.23 million fraud trial involving former Central Bank of Nigeria governor Godwin Emefiele.

The witness alleged that the funds in question were fraudulently disbursed under questionable authorisation.

Emefiele is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an amended 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, and obtaining money by false pretence.

The anti-graft agency alleges that the former CBN governor secured $6.23 million purportedly for international election observers during the 2023 general elections.

Testifying as the 14th prosecution witness, Okpozikbo told the court that investigations revealed the funds were not legitimately requested. He stated that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation denied initiating the payment request.

According to him, a document purportedly conveying presidential approval was used to process the payment, which was subsequently honoured by the apex bank.

Investigation Links Payment to Questionable Approval

The witness, who led the investigative team, explained that documents recovered from the Abuja branch of the CBN detailed how the funds were processed and disbursed.

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He said the records included payment instructions dated February 8, 2023, and internal memos authorising the release of the funds. The memo, he noted, originated from the Banking Services Department and was directed to the bank’s Abuja branch for execution.

Okpozikbo added that some suspects interrogated during the investigation allegedly confessed to involvement in the transaction.

Courtroom Dispute Over Evidence Presentation

Proceedings were marked by objections from defence counsel, Matthew Burkaa, who challenged the prosecution’s approach in leading the witness through documentary evidence already before the court.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, defended the line of questioning, insisting that the witness was providing necessary clarification of investigative findings.

Presiding judge, Hamza Muazu, cautioned both parties to avoid wasting judicial time and directed that proceedings remain focused on admissible evidence.

The case is a high-profile test of accountability within Nigeria’s financial system, particularly involving the apex bank. Its outcome could shape public confidence in anti-corruption efforts and institutional transparency.