A prosecution witness for Nigeria’s anti-graft agency has told a court in Abuja that more than six million dollars was allegedly withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria using forged documents during the tenure of former governor Godwin Emefiele.
Testifying before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, an assistant director at the Central Bank, Bashirudden Maishanu, said the $6.23 million was withdrawn in cash from the bank’s Garki branch on February 8, 2023. He told the court that the transaction was presented as funds meant for election observers and logistics.
Maishanu, who appeared as the 11th prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, said he was contacted in January 2023 by a man who claimed to be acting on instructions from Emefiele’s personal assistant. According to the witness, the man said the payment was based on presidential approval and would require clearance from the CBN governor.
The witness said he was shown what was presented as official approval and was later informed that cash payment had been authorised. He told the court that, on the day of the withdrawal, an associate of his accompanied the individual to the CBN branch, where the money was paid out in cash.
Maishanu further alleged that after the withdrawal, part of the money—about $2.5 million—was taken away by the individual who initiated the transaction, while the remaining cash was retained by others involved. He described the transaction as “outrageous” and said there had been no prior agreement for any form of payment.
Under cross-examination, the witness also explained the internal disciplinary process at the Central Bank, noting that sanctions for staff misconduct range from warnings to dismissal, depending on the severity of the offence, and are handled through a formal disciplinary committee.
Emefiele, who served as Nigeria’s central bank governor for nearly a decade, is facing multiple charges including alleged corruption, accepting gratification, and fraudulent receipt of property. The trial is ongoing, with the allegations drawing significant public and international attention due to his former role at the apex bank.
