Emefiele: Forensic analyst confirms documents for $6.2m payment forged

Emefiele: Forensic analyst confirms documents for $6.2m payment forged

A forensic analyst has confirmed that documents used to request the payment of $6.2 million for foreign observers that covered the 2023 general elections were forged.

The revelation was made on Thursday at trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.

The witness, Bamaiyi Meriga, called by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), informed the court that following forensic analysis of the disputed documents, he discovered that there was clear evidence of forgery of signature, and the seal of execution was different from the original.

He also confirmed that the signature were not those of former President Muhammad Buhari and ex-Secretary General of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

The two documents tendered in evidence were admitted in evidence by the trial judge, justice Muazu.

Under cross-examination by counsel for Emefiele, the witness said he was not a personnel of the EFCC, and was not being paid by the anti-graft agency but the Nigeria Immigration Service.

Counsel for Emefiele, Matthew Burkaa, expressed displeasure over the conduct of the witness, saying that the witness misled the court by evading questions.

The trial was adjourned till March 11 for continuation.