Fresh details emerged on Thursday at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja as a prosecution witness told the court that $6.23 million was withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) using forged documents.
The witness, Bashirudden Maishanu, an assistant director at the CBN, gave the testimony in the ongoing trial of Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the apex bank. Emefiele is standing trial over allegations brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Maishanu, who appeared as the 11th prosecution witness (PW11), testified before Justice Hamza Muazu, the judge handling the case. He was led in evidence by Rotimi Oyedepo, the EFCC’s Director of Public Prosecutions.
According to the witness, the $6.23 million was withdrawn in cash from the Garki branch of the CBN on February 8, 2023, shortly before the general elections.
Maishanu told the court that his involvement in the matter started in January 2023, when he was approached by a man identified as Alhaji Ahmed. Ahmed reportedly claimed to be working with a special committee under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
The witness said Ahmed told him that he was sent by Eric Ocheme, who was identified as the personal assistant to Godwin Emefiele while he was the CBN governor. According to Maishanu, Ahmed said he needed to discuss some transactions that were being processed at the CBN.
He told the court that Ahmed later informed him that presidential approval had already been secured for the payment. Ahmed allegedly said the only remaining step was to obtain the approval of the CBN governor.
Maishanu said Ahmed insisted that the money should be paid in cash. He also asked that someone should accompany the cash once it was withdrawn.
“I told him I could not go and suggested someone I knew,” Maishanu said during his testimony.
The witness told the court that on February 8, 2023, the money was eventually withdrawn from the Garki branch of the CBN.
He said that after the withdrawal, Ahmed allegedly left with $2.5 million in cash. Another $2.5 million, he added, was left behind with him and two other individuals.
“I saw the cash and thought it was outrageous because we never negotiated for any payment,” Maishanu told the court.
He said he advised the two people with him to keep the money temporarily, adding that they all agreed to do so.
According to the witness, the total amount withdrawn was $6.23 million. He explained that the money was allegedly meant to cover election-related expenses, including payments for election observers during the 2023 general elections.
Maishanu told the court that he later discovered that the documents used to process the withdrawal were forged.
Although he admitted that he did not personally see the approval documents being signed, he insisted that the transaction could not have followed proper CBN procedures.
“I am sure because the CBN has rigorous processes for payment, especially for cash transactions of that value,” he said.
He explained that payments involving large sums of money at the CBN usually go through several layers of checks and approvals. These include documentation, signatures and verification by different departments.
According to him, any staff involved in such a transaction can easily be traced through internal records.
“All officials involved in the withdrawal can be traced through internal documentation,” he said. “Each step in the process carries identifiable signatures.”
The witness also explained how the CBN handles cases involving staff misconduct. He said the bank has a disciplinary system guided by its human resource handbook.
According to him, sanctions for erring staff range from warnings to dismissal, depending on how serious the offence is. Such decisions, he said, are usually taken by a disciplinary committee.
Maishanu told the court that he was not subjected to any disciplinary action by the CBN board in connection with the $6.23 million withdrawal.
During cross-examination, Emefiele’s lawyer, Matthew Burkaa, questioned the witness on several aspects of his testimony.
Maishanu admitted that he did not initially know that the funds were fraudulent. He also confirmed that he did not personally take part in monitoring the 2023 elections.
However, he maintained that the documents used for the withdrawal were fake and did not follow standard CBN procedures.
He told the court that after reviewing the documents later, he became convinced that they were forged.
Maishanu also told the court that he accepted personal responsibility for his role in the matter. He described the entire incident as a “set-up,” suggesting that he was misled into participating in the transaction.
Godwin Emefiele served as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2014 until June 2023. During his tenure, he was one of the most powerful figures in Nigeria’s financial system.
Following his suspension and subsequent arrest in 2023, the EFCC filed several charges against him, including allegations related to financial misconduct and abuse of office.
The trial has drawn wide public attention because of Emefiele’s former position and the serious nature of the allegations. Many Nigerians are closely watching the proceedings, as the outcome could have major implications for public trust in key government institutions.
The EFCC has said the case is part of its broader effort to fight corruption and ensure accountability in public office.
After listening to the testimony of the prosecution witness, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case.
The trial was postponed until January 30, 2026, for continuation.
As the case continues, more witnesses are expected to testify, with both the prosecution and defence preparing to present further evidence.
For now, the court has heard detailed claims about how millions of dollars were allegedly withdrawn from the CBN using forged documents, raising fresh questions about internal controls, accountability and the handling of public funds at Nigeria’s apex bank.
