By Mary Emeka
The Federal Government has said it will prosecute all individuals allegedly linked to the $6.23 million fraud involving the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), including former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, made the disclosure before the Abuja High Court while responding to the testimony of the Federal Government’s Special Investigator, Jim Obazee, in the ongoing trial of former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
President Bola Tinubu appointed Obazee in July 2023 to investigate alleged financial misconduct within the CBN and other government institutions. Among the findings of the investigation was the alleged diversion of $6.23 million from the Abuja branch of the apex bank, an allegation that forms part of the charges against Emefiele.
Testifying before Justice Hamza Muazu, Obazee questioned why only Emefiele was standing trial when investigations allegedly linked more than 10 individuals to the transaction.
He identified some of those allegedly connected to the case as former SGF Boss Mustapha, Emefiele’s former Personal Assistant, Eric Odoh, Odoh’s driver and gatekeeper, Emmanuel Odeh Dickson, Jibril Abubakar, Bashirudeen Maishanu, and others.
Obazee argued that justice required the prosecution of all individuals allegedly involved, rather than focusing solely on the former CBN governor.
According to the Special Investigator, £856,500 has already been recovered from Bashirudeen Maishanu, who allegedly confessed to diverting part of the funds. He said the recovery further strengthened the case that multiple individuals participated in the alleged fraud.
Obazee also told the court that during questioning, Boss Mustapha did not deny signing a letter requesting the release of the funds. He questioned why the former SGF had not been charged alongside Emefiele.
The witness further raised concerns over the authenticity and handling of the letter authorising the release of the funds, reportedly signed by Mustapha on the instruction of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. He noted that the document was absent from the official presidential handover notes, raising additional questions about the transaction.
Obazee maintained that every individual allegedly connected to the transaction should be investigated and prosecuted, adding that those who have died should also be formally identified in the court records to ensure a complete account of the case.
He argued that prosecuting all those allegedly involved would serve as a deterrent to corruption and strengthen public confidence in the administration of justice.
Following the testimony and submissions by both the prosecution and defence, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case until October 20, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Note: The headline and story use “alleged fraud” rather than “theft” because the matter is still before the court and no convictions have been secured. This is the more legally accurate news style.