EFCC Confirms Forged Signatures of  Buhari, Mustapha in $6.2m Fraud Case Against Emefiele

EFCC has confirmed forged signatures of  Buhari and Mustapha in $6.2m fraud case against Emefiele.

 

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday told a Federal Capital Territory High Court that the signatures of former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, were allegedly forged in a scheme to defraud Nigeria of $6.23 million.

 

Testifying before the court, EFCC Assistant Commander II, Chinedu Eneanya, said investigations revealed that five officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) facilitated the release of the funds under the pretext that the money was meant for foreign election observers during the 2023 general elections.

 

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The testimony was presented during the ongoing trial of former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who is facing a 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, and obtaining money under false pretence.

 

According to Eneanya, the investigation uncovered documents from the CBN relating to the disbursement, with forensic analysis confirming that the signatures of Buhari and Mustapha were forged.

 

“The investigation revealed that the sum of $6.2 million was removed from the CBN under the guise of funding foreign election observers,” he told the court.

 

However, during cross-examination, defence counsel Mathew Burkaa highlighted that no forensic analysis was conducted on Emefiele’s signature, despite his claim that it may also have been forged.

 

The witness further disclosed that although five CBN officials signed the internal memo authorising the release of the funds, none of them is currently standing trial alongside Emefiele, as they were only suspended.

 

Emefiele has denied all allegations, pleading not guilty to the charges filed in suit number FCT/HC/CR/577/2023.

 

The prosecution indicated plans to call additional witnesses, while the defence urged the court to consider closing the prosecution’s case if delays persist.

 

Presiding judge, Hamza Muazu, adjourned the matter to April 28, 2026, for continuation of trial.