Jim Obazee, a prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says late President Muhammadu Buhari and Boss Mustapha, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), should have been prosecuted over the alleged fraudulent withdrawal of $6.23 million from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Obazee testified before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Friday in the ongoing trial of Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the CBN.
Obazee was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in July 2023 as a special investigator to probe the activities of the apex bank and related entities.
The anti-graft agency is prosecuting Emefiele on an amended 20-count charge bordering on conferring corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and obtaining by false pretence.
Led in evidence by Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the EFCC, Obazee alleged that $6.23 million, reportedly earmarked for a foreign election observer mission during the 2023 general election, was fraudulently withdrawn from the CBN’s Abuja branch.
The prosecution witness said the money was withdrawn from the apex bank and handed over to suspected criminals.
He added that $856,500 of the $6.23 million was recovered from Bashirudeen Maishanu, a staff member of the CBN, by the special investigation panel.
Obazee said Maishanu should also be prosecuted alongside Emefiele over the alleged fraudulent withdrawal.
“For actions and inactions, Mr Buhari ought to be charged and must be charged along with Emefiele in this $6.2 million fraud, even if posthumously, since national honours are given posthumously,” Obazee said in court, according to Premium Times.
“The situation in Nigeria is a very unfortunate one, especially for the federal government to have put only Emefiele on trial in an alleged fraud that involved more than 10 people.
“Whatever you are doing to Mr Emefiele by way of prosecution ought to have been done to Buhari, Mustapha, Bashirudeen Maishanu, and former board members of the CBN under Mr Emefiele.”
While appearing as a prosecution witness in February 2024, Mustapha denied that Buhari authorised the release of the money.
The case was adjourned until October 20, 2026, for the adoption of final addresses, while the defence said it would file a no-case submission on behalf of Emefiele.
