A forensics expert, Bamaiyi Meriga has confirmed that the documents used in paying foreign observers in the 2023 elections were forged.
He made this statement in the ongoing trial of the former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
The witness, called by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, disclosed to the court that after conducting a forensic analysis of the contested documents, clear evidence of forgery was found in the signature, and the seal of execution differed from the original.
During the continuation of the trial, it was affirmed that the signatures did not match those of former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Secretary General of the Federation, Boss Mustapha. The two documents, titled “Presidential Directive on Foreign Observer Election,” were admitted as evidence by Justice Muazu.
Under cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Matthew Burkaa, the witness clarified that he was not an EFCC staff and received his salary from the Nigeria Immigration Service, not the anti-graft agency. Burkaa expressed dissatisfaction with the witness’s conduct, accusing him of evading questions.
In response, the Prosecution Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, expressed discontent with the defense counsel’s stance. The trial has been adjourned until March 11 for further proceedings.
Emefiele faces a 20-count amended charge, including allegations of corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and obtaining by false pretenses amounting to $6,230,000. The charges accuse him of impersonating the SGF to illicitly acquire the mentioned sum.
During a mid-February hearing, ex-SGF Mustapha testified that he had no knowledge of the transaction up until he concluded his term in May 2023. He emphasized that the document in question did not originate from the office of then-President Buhari during his tenure of five years and seven months.
