Godwin Emefiele, Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
A Federal Capital Territory High Court has issued subpoenas compelling two prosecution witnesses to appear in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, over an alleged $6.23 million fraud case.
Justice Hamza Muazu ordered former Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Jim Obazee, and Commissioner of Police, Eloho Okpoziakpo, to appear before the court on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, as prosecution witnesses. The subpoenas were reportedly issued on April 27.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Emefiele on an amended 20-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, and conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence involving $6.23 million.
According to the prosecution, the funds were allegedly withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Abuja branch vault using forged documents said to bear the signatures of former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
Emefiele has denied the allegations and challenged investigators to make public the documents and statements obtained during interrogation.
The trial has faced several adjournments, with reports indicating repeated delays linked to the availability of prosecution witnesses. There are suggestions that further postponement may arise if one of the summoned witnesses is unable to attend due to official commitments.
Investigations led by Obazee following his appointment by President Bola Tinubu in July 2023 reportedly uncovered broader allegations of financial irregularities at the CBN during Emefiele’s tenure. These include claims of unauthorised currency issuance, controversial Ways and Means financing, COVID-19 related expenditures, and the alleged diversion of more than ₦17 billion through multiple financial institutions.
Some individuals earlier linked to the matter, including Boss Mustapha, have since been redesignated as prosecution witnesses, a development analysts say may influence the prosecution’s case.
