CBN Released $6.2m With Forged Buhari, Boss Mustapha’s Signatures – Forensic Expert

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A forensic document expert with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Bamaiyi Haruna has declared as forged the documents used to release $6.2 million from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in February 2023.

According to Haruna, who is the sixth prosecution witness in the case filed by EFCC against  former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, analysis conducted on the documents the apex bank relied on for the transactions indicated that they were all faked. 

The anti-corruption agency is alleging that Emefiele, on February 8, 2023, connived with one Odoh Ocheme, now on the run, to obtain $6.2 million from the CBN, claiming it was requested by the SGF “vide a letter dated 26th January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.”

Additionally, the Commission stated that in January 2023, Emefiele forged a document titled: “RE: PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS,” dated 26 January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.

The immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF),  Boss Mustapha, had, at the last Court sitting, disowned the documents, insisting that they did not emanate from former President Muhammadu Buhari nor his office.

Haruna informed the Court that the real signatures of Buhari and the ex-SGF were analysed with the results showing that they were different from the documents submitted to the apex bank for the now contentious payment.

In his testimony, Haruna stated thus; “The conclusion from the analysis revealed that the disputed documents showed evidence of forgery and copying art as the pen movement form and formation of the signatures and the skill of execution were found to be different from that of the specimen signatures A to A2 and B to Bi

“The form and formation of the signatures marked x and the specimen signature marked B to B1 were found to be different in respect of pen movement impulses, skill of execution, loop formation, and presence of tremors, there were individual characteristics. This is a confirmation that the author of the specimen signatures marked B to B1 does not rhyme with the signature of Buhari on the disputed document marked X.

“Also, the form and formation of the disputed signatures marked X1 and Specimen signature A2 were also found to be different in respect to pen movement impulses. Initial and terminal strokes, loop formation, presence of tremors, and individual characteristics. This is also a confirmation that the author of the specimen signature marked A2 did not rhyme with the signature of Boss Mustapha on the disputed document marked X1.”

The EFCC’s Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), applied to the court to tender the forensic report dated January 25, 2024, and other documents attached as exhibits. Accordingly, Justice Hamza Muazu admitted same as evidence and marked them exhibits FDE.

Asked how the court would determine whether two signatures were similar or dissimilar, the witness urged the court to rely on the report presented. 

On whether Emefiele’s signature was analysed in the process, the witness answered in the negative.

The Court has adjourned matter till March 11, 2024 for continuation.

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