Emefiele trial: Witness alleges $6.23bn CBN fraud for 2023 election observers
Godwin Emefiele
Abdullateef Fowewe
Chinedu Eneanya, the 13th prosecution witness in the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, testified on Monday that $6.23 billion was siphoned from CBN funds under the guise of paying foreign observers for the 2023 general election.
A statement by EFCC on Monday confirmed this.
Led by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Eneanya told Justice Hamza Muazu at the FCT High Court, Maitama: “Investigations revealed that the sum of $6.23 billion was removed from the coffers of the CBN purportedly for the funding of foreign observers.”
He added that “findings from the investigation showed that the signatures of former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, were forged” to authorise the release, with forensic analysis confirming they were fake.
Eneanya said CBN officials involved were interviewed, documents recovered, and five staffers suspended. Emefiele faces a 20-count charge of criminal breach of trust, forgery, and abuse of office by the EFCC.
Defence counsel Matthew Burkaa (SAN) sought to close the case if two remaining witnesses don’t appear, but Oyedepo cited jurisdictional issues in Benin City and Lagos.
The judge adjourned to April 28, 2026, for continuation.
