Emefiele: Why we released $6.2m for payment of election observers — CBN

Michael Ogbu, a senior official of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has explained why the bank released $6,230,000 for the payment of some international election observers before the 2023 general elections.

Ogbu, deputy director and head of the service delivery division of the CBN, said the funds were released because the request documents contained evidence of approvals by the then President Muhammadu Buhari and the immediate past Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele.

He stated this while testifying a Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday as a prosecution witness in the trial of Emefiele.

Emefiele is facing a 20-count amended charge filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), in which he is among others, accused of engaging in criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence.

Emefiele was alleged to have, on February 8, 2023, knowingly obtained, by false pretence, $6,230,000.00 by falsely representing that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation vide a letter dated 26 January 2023 with Ref No. SGF 43/L.01/201 requested the CBN to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000 “in line with Mr. President’s directive.”

Ogbu, who was led in evidence by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), said he served as the Branch Controller until he was redeployed in September 2023.

He said after going through the documents and being satisfied, he minuted on it to the Head of the Business Services Unit for processing and payment.

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

“Ours is to make payment, we don’t have the power to approve.

“Having gone through the documents and satisfied, I minuted on it and sent for processing and disbursement which was complied with.”