A witness for the prosecution in the trial of Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has told a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court in Abuja that $6.23 million was withdrawn from the apex bank using forged documents.
Bashirudden Maishanu, an assistant director at the CBN and the 11th prosecution witness (PW11), gave his testimony on Thursday before Justice Hamza Muazu in the case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
While being led in evidence by Rotimi Oyedepo, EFCC director of public prosecutions, Maishanu said the funds were withdrawn from the Garki branch of the CBN on February 8, 2023.
He told the court that in January 2023, he was contacted by one Alhaji Ahmed, who claimed to be attached to a special committee in the office of the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF).
According to Maishanu, Ahmed said he was acting on the directive of Eric Ocheme, identified as Emefiele’s personal assistant during his tenure as CBN governor, to meet him concerning some transactions being processed at the bank.
The witness said Ahmed later informed him that presidential approval had been secured for the payment and that the next requirement was Emefiele’s approval.
Maishanu added that Ahmed requested that the money be paid in cash and asked him to either accompany the funds or nominate someone to do so.
“I told him I could not go and suggested someone I knew,” the witness said.
He testified that on February 8, 2023, the money was withdrawn at the CBN Garki branch.
According to him, Ahmed allegedly left with $2.5 million in cash, while another $2.5 million was left with him and two other individuals.
“I saw the cash and thought it was outrageous because we never negotiated for any payment,” he said, adding that he advised his friends to keep the money, which they agreed to do.
Maishanu further told the court that the $6.23 million was intended to cover election-related expenses, including payments to election observers.
Explaining the CBN’s internal disciplinary procedures, the witness said sanctions for staff misconduct range from warnings to dismissal, depending on the severity of the offence, and are determined by a disciplinary committee in accordance with the bank’s human resource handbook.
He said he was not subjected to any disciplinary action by the CBN board in connection with the incident.
During cross-examination by defence counsel Matthew Burkaa, Maishanu said he did not personally witness the signing of the approval but maintained that the documents used were forged.
“I am sure because the CBN has rigorous processes for payment, especially for cash transactions of that value,” he said.
He also told the court that all officials involved in the withdrawal could be identified through internal documentation, noting that every stage of the process carries identifiable signatures.
The witness admitted that he did not take part in monitoring the 2023 elections and said he was initially unaware that the funds were fraudulent.
Maishanu added that he later came across forged documents linked to the transaction and accepted personal responsibility for his role, describing the episode as a “set-up”.
Justice Muazu adjourned the matter until January 30, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
(The CABLE)
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