A prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Jim Obazee, has called for the posthumous trial of late President Muhammadu Buhari over the alleged fraudulent withdrawal of 6.23 million dollars from the (CBN), insisting that the former president should face the same scrutiny as former CBN Governor.
Obazee, who testified before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court , said former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, , CBN staff member Bashirudeen Maishanu, and former members of the apex bank’s board should also be prosecuted over the alleged fraud.
The witness, appointed by President in July 2023 as Special Investigator to probe the activities of the CBN and related entities, made the remarks while testifying in the ongoing trial of Emefiele.
The EFCC 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.
Obazee told the court that the 6.23 million dollars, allegedly earmarked for a foreign election observer mission during the 2023 general election, was fraudulently withdrawn from the CBN’s Abuja branch and handed over to suspected criminals.
He disclosed that 856,500 dollars out of the total amount had been recovered from Bashirudeen Maishanu by the special investigation panel.
According to Obazee, “For actions and inactions, Mr Buhari ought to be charged and must be charged along with Emefiele in this 6.2 million dollars fraud, even if posthumously, since national honours are given posthumously.”
He further argued that it was unfair for the Federal Government to prosecute only Emefiele in a case he alleged involved more than 10 individuals.
“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,” he said.
During an earlier appearance as a prosecution witness in February 2024, Mustapha denied that the late President Buhari authorised the release of the funds.
Justice Muazu adjourned the case until October 20, 2026, for the adoption of final addresses, while the defence indicated it would file a no-case submission on behalf of Emefiele.
