A prosecution witness on Thursday told the Federal Cshhhjjjapital Territory High Court in Abuja that $6.23 million was illegally withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria using forged documents during the tenure of former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The witness, Bashirudden Maishanu, an assistant director at the apex bank and the 11th prosecution witness, testified before Justice Hamza Muazu in the ongoing trial instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against Emefiele.
Led in evidence by the EFCC Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, Maishanu said the funds were paid out in cash from the CBN Garki branch on February 8, 2023, following a transaction allegedly backed by fraudulent approvals.
He told the court that in January 2023, one Alhaji Ahmed approached him, claiming to be working with a special committee in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and said he had been directed by Eric Ocheme, identified as Emefiele’s personal assistant, to liaise with him over a sensitive transaction.
According to the witness, Ahmed claimed that presidential approval had been secured for the payment and that the only outstanding step was the endorsement of the then CBN governor.“He requested that the funds be released in cash and asked me to either accompany the payment or recommend someone to do so,” Maishanu sai
He added that on the day of the withdrawal, Ahmed allegedly left with $2.5 million in cash, while another $2.5 million was retained by him and two others.
“I saw the money and felt it was outrageous because we never negotiated for any payment,” he told the court, adding that he advised those holding the cash to keep it asidMaishanu further testified that the funds were purportedly meant to cover election-related expenses, including payments to election observers.
He said the documents used for the transaction were later discovered to be forged, stressing that the CBN has strict internal procedures for cash withdrawals, especially for transactions involving huge sums.
“I did not personally see the approval being signed, but I am sure the documents were fraudulent because of the rigorous processes required at the bank,” he said.
The witness also told the court that every stage of such transactions leaves an identifiable trail, making it possible to trace all officials involved.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Matthew Burkaa, Maishanu admitted he did not initially know the funds were fraudulent and did not participate in monitoring the 2023 general elections.
He said he later saw forged documents connected to the transaction and accepted responsibility for his role, describing the episode as a “set-up”.
On disciplinary procedures at the CBN, he said sanctions range from warnings to dismissal, depending on the gravity of the offence, but added that he was not subjected to any disciplinary action by the bank’s board in connection with the matter.
Justice Muazu adjourned the case till January 30, 2026, for continuation of trial
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