Move to allegedly halt the ongoing prosecution of the embattled former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele over the missing $6.23 million from the bank’s Abuja branch, before FCT High Court, Abuja, is being intensify as the main star witness in the matter, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Investigator, Jim Obazee, could be keep off in the trial of the banker on Monday.
Rather, it was alleged that a policeman has been arranged to testify in the trial before the court on Monday as a star witness instead of Obazee.
A source who pleaded for anonymity, disclosed that the prosecution is expected to inform the court presided over by Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court, Abuja, that Obazee is indisposed, and will request another adjournment. However, the court is likely to reject the request, having already granted eight adjournments instead of the five allowed by law.
The source also stated that the prosecution initially planned to have a policeman as the star witness in the case but later chose not to present one in court on Monday, fearing that relying on a policeman in such a high-profile case might backfire.
The expectation is that the court, weary of repeated delays, might drop the case and dismiss it due to lack of evidence and diligent prosecution.
Meanwhile, the source noted that an EFCC official had contacted Obazee, who agreed to testify about his findings in the CBN investigation if the commission formally requests his appearance.
“The previous plan to present a policeman other than Obazee (who investigated the CBN and recommended Emefiele’s prosecution) is allegedly intended to exonerate Emefiele and his associates. If the prosecution informs the court that Obazee cannot be located, the case may be dismissed for insufficient evidence, potentially freeing Emefiele and his co-conspirators”, the source said.
Justice Muazu at the court proceedings of March 17, had directed the EFCC to present its key witness on April 27, warning that the court would take legal action for non-compliance.
The issued the order due to the EFCC’s repeated refusals to present its key witness, Obazee, after eight adjournments, exceeding the legal limit of five. This caused growing frustration in the high-profile case.
It would be recall that on July 28, 2023, President Tinubu appointed Jim Obazee, the founding CEO of Nigeria’s Financial Reporting Council (FRC), to investigate alleged misconduct at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), its related entities, and other government business enterprises (GBEs).
It would also be recall that Obazee’s December 2023 preliminary report to President Tinubu revealed, among other things, that $6.23 million was missing from the Abuja branch of CBN and recommended the prosecution of Godwin Emefiele, Boss Mustapha, and other implicated individuals.
“A police officer was set to be the star witness in Monday’s Abuja court session, but plans changed over concerns the officer might falsely claim to have led the CBN investigation and uncovered the alleged fraud. According to a source, this move is part of a bigger scheme to disrupt Godwin Emefiele’s trial for allegedly stealing $6.23 million and facing related charges.,” the source noted.
“Obazee, the lead investigator of the CBN, who uncovered extensive corruption and recommended Emefiele’s prosecution, is being prevented from testifying in court because his testimony would jeopardise the plan to acquit Emefiele and others in the corruption case,” the source noted
“In 2024, the Federal Ministry of Justice persuaded Obazee to release information from his CBN investigation and the charges against Emefiele to the EFCC, enabling the prosecution of the former CBN governor after a prior case against him by the commission collapsed in court.
“The trial has hit a standstill after eight adjournments, with Obazee’s testimony blocked, while the government team has allegedly let Emefiele’s co-conspirators in the $6.23 million case turn into government witnesses, further stalling the trial’s progress”,
Sources cited the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who was recommended for prosecution by Obazee, but has now turned a government witness, allegedly to undermine the prosecution.
Other individuals listed for prosecution include; Catherine Igundunase, Samuel Okojere, Emmanuel Odeh Dickson, Onyeka Michael Kudu, Kareem Willams Dauda, Mohammed Kudu, Yakubu Maaku Samuila, and Elizabeth Fasoranti.
Obazee’s investigation revealed several Emefiele misdemeanours, including a missing $6.23 million, according to a preliminary report submitted to President Tinubu and partially released to the media in December 2023.
The Obazee’s investigation also uncovered illegal currency issuance, misuse of ways and means, questionable COVID-19 spending, false claims of presidential approval tied to NESI Stabilisation Strategy Ltd, and the criminal diversion of N17.23 billion in public funds by 14 banks, among other issues.
