Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ibrahim Ramalan
Published on 2024-03-07 16:09:14
The ongoing trial of the immediate past governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, took an interesting turn as an EFCC witness, Bamaiyi Mairiga, testified in the FCT high court, Maitama. Mairiga revealed that signatures of former President Muhammadu Buhari and the immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, were forged.
Emefiele is facing an amended 20-count charge related to corrupt practices, forgery, criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and obtaining money by false pretense. The charges stem from allegations that Emefiele forged a document entitled “Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions” and convinced the CBN to provide $6,230,000 under false pretenses.
Mairiga, a forensic document examiner with the EFCC, explained the detailed analysis process he undertook to determine the authenticity of the signatures. He highlighted the unique characteristics present in each signature and concluded that the disputed document showed clear evidence of forgery and tampering.
During cross-examination, Mairiga defended his analysis process and confirmed that both Buhari and Mustapha’s signatures on the disputed document were not authentic. The witness also clarified that he did not analyze Emefiele’s signature as part of his examination.
The defense attempted to challenge Mairiga’s credibility, suggesting that he was intentionally misleading the court with his testimony. However, the prosecution maintained that Mairiga’s analysis was thorough and accurate, emphasizing the importance of observing a witness’s demeanor during proceedings.
Ultimately, the court admitted Mairiga’s report as evidence, marking it as Exhibit FDE. The judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, adjourned the hearing to continue on March 11.
This development sheds light on the complexities of the case against Emefiele and underscores the importance of expert testimony in establishing the veracity of key pieces of evidence. The allegations of forgery and financial misconduct against the former CBN governor will likely be scrutinized further as the trial progresses.
Overall, Mairiga’s testimony has added a significant layer of detail to the prosecution’s case, providing crucial insights into the alleged fraudulent activities that led to Emefiele’s charges. As the legal proceedings continue, more clarity is expected to emerge on the extent of the forgery and corruption claims surrounding this high-profile case.
Read the original article on DailyNigerian.com
