A director of the Federal Ministry of Finance has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that the ministry was unaware of a N124.86 billion withdrawal from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s consolidated revenue account during the tenure of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele.
Ali Mohammed, who testified as the 10th prosecution witness in Emefiele’s ongoing trial, told the court that none of the three divisions under his supervision had knowledge of the transaction.
The witness was led in evidence by prosecution counsel Abbas Mohammed during proceedings at the FCT High Court in Maitama.
According to his testimony, the transaction was recorded within the ministry’s records as a direct debit by the apex bank.
The evidence forms part of the prosecution’s case against Emefiele, who is facing charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The former CBN governor is being prosecuted on allegations including disobedience to the direction of law and illegal acts causing injury to the public.
The EFCC alleges that between October 19, 2022, and March 5, 2023, Emefiele approved the printing of 375.52 million pieces of redesigned N1,000 banknotes at a cost of about N11.05 billion without the recommendation of the CBN Board and the required presidential approval.
The charge also alleges that the actions caused injury to the public.
The latest testimony, however, relates specifically to the alleged withdrawal of N124.86 billion and the extent to which relevant government financial authorities were aware of the transaction.
The defence has yet to conclude its challenge to the prosecution’s evidence, and the testimony does not itself establish criminal liability.
Emefiele has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial continues as the prosecution presents witnesses and documentary evidence aimed at establishing its allegations against the former apex-bank governor.