In a dramatic turn of events, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has revealed shocking details regarding the alleged misuse of funds amounting to $6.2 million.
Mustapha testified as the fourth prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
According to Mustapha, the funds were released in February 2023 using forged documents.
He asserted that neither the documents nor the authorization for the payment originated from the President’s office, challenging the authenticity of the signatures and the procedural irregularities.
Mustapha emphasized that during his tenure as SGF, he never encountered such documents purportedly signed by the President.
He highlighted discrepancies such as the absence of a seal on the document and unfamiliar terminology, casting doubt on its legitimacy.
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Furthermore, Mustapha clarified that the Nigerian government had no involvement with foreign election observers, discrediting the basis for the alleged payment.
He refuted claims of receiving any portion of the funds, affirming that the approval for such a transaction was never discussed or endorsed by the Federal Executive Council.
During cross-examination, Mustapha reiterated the absence of any official memo authorizing such payments and denied any established practice within the SGF office for cash transactions at banks.
His testimony shed light on procedural lapses and raised questions about the accountability of the funds.
The trial continues, with the next hearing scheduled for March 7, 11, and 25, as the court seeks to unravel the truth behind this complex financial scandal implicating high-ranking officials.