How Emefiele-led CBN released $6.2m for foreign election observers – Director

Onyeka Ogbu, testifying against him.

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission is prosecuting Emefiele on amended 20 counts bordering on forgery, criminal conspiracy,  conferring undue advantage, and breach of trust, among others.

Specifically, the EFCC accused Emefiele of impersonating the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to illegally obtain a sum of $6.2m.

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

According to the EFCC, Emefiele allegedly claimed that the SGF requested the CBN to release “a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000.00 in line with Mr. President’s directive.”

Furthermore, the anti-graft agency alleged that Emefiele, in January 2023,  forged a document titled: “RE: PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS,” dated 26 January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.

He said to have allegedly connived with the fleeing Ocheme to commit the “illegal act to wit: forgery.”

At the resumed trial on Monday, Ogbu, who is the Deputy Director in charge of Branch Operations at the CBN, told the court that he was aware of a $6.2m payment request for international election observers.

Led in evidence by the EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Ogbu said he recalled that the $6.2m payment request was made on January 8, 2023.

He told the court that he reviewed the payment request and gave approval for disbursement.

Ogbu said, “On January 8, 2023, a request for payment of  $6, 230, 000 was brought to my attention by the Banking Services Department.