Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, appeared as a witness in the trial of ex-governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, at an Abuja High Court on Tuesday, revealing shocking details of forged signatures in a controversial $6.2 million withdrawal from the CBN vault.
Testifying as the second prosecution witness (PW-2), Mustapha disclosed to the court that both his signature and that of former President Muhammadu Buhari were forged in the documents authorizing the withdrawal of $6,230,000 from the apex bank on February 8, 2023. The funds, purportedly intended for the payment of foreign election observers, were withdrawn without Mustapha’s knowledge or involvement in any related correspondence.
Led in evidence by the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Oyedepo, Mustapha clarified that the documents authorizing the withdrawal did not originate from his office or the presidency. He vehemently denied having received any portion of the withdrawn funds.
Mustapha emphasized that it was not within the purview of the federal government or the SGF’s office to request funds from the CBN for payment to foreign election observers, asserting that such responsibilities rested solely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Discrediting the authorization letter purportedly issued from his office, Mustapha pointed out several inconsistencies and irregularities. He highlighted that official correspondences bearing the seal of Nigeria typically lacked reference numbers, and FEC decisions were transmitted through extracts after conclusions, not via letters.
Moreover, Mustapha, who served as SGF for five years and seven months, refuted the use of unfamiliar terms like “Special Appropriation Provision,” which appeared in the documents. He explained that budgetary matters were handled through the Appropriation Act passed by the National Assembly, and any additional appropriations were through Supplementary Appropriation.
In dissecting the document further, Mustapha questioned the authenticity of Buhari’s purported signature, noting discrepancies in its reproduction compared to authentic signatures. He emphasized that his correspondence with the president never concluded with the phrase “Please accept the assurance of my highest regard,” as seen in the contested document, as it implied a level of formality inconsistent with their professional relationship.
Drawing from his extensive experience as SGF, Mustapha underscored the need for adherence to proper protocols and the importance of accurately replicating official signatures. He deferred to expert analysis to validate the authenticity of the signatures in question.
Mustapha’s testimony shed light on potential malfeasance in the withdrawal process, highlighting the importance of upholding transparency and integrity in government transactions. As the trial progresses, the revelations from Mustapha’s testimony are expected to play a pivotal role in unraveling the truth behind the controversial CBN withdrawal.
