Crime
Buhari’s Signature Forged To Withdraw $6.2m From CBN, – Ex-SGF, Mustapha
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha has disclosed that ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s signature was forged by those who withdrew $6,230,000 from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on February 8, 2023.
Mustapha, who was testifying on Tuesday in the trial of former Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, said his signature was also forged.
He added that he knew nothing about the money said to have been withdrawn for the payment of foreign election observers.
The ex-SGF, who spoke as a prosecution witness, told a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama that it was not the business of the Federal Government or the office of the SGF to request for funds from the CBN for the payment of foreign election observers.
He said it was solely the responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deal with issues relating to election observers and other election-related matters.
A Deputy Director in the CBN, Michael Onyeka Ogbu had told the court on Monday that the money was handed in cash to an official from the office of the SGF named Jibril Abubakar upon approvals by President Buhari and Emefiele following a request by the SGF.
The prosecution is accusing Emefiele of being behind the withdrawal.
Led in evidence by the lawyer to the prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Mustapha, dressed in blue kaftan and a cap, identified Emefiele (who was seated in the dock) when asked if he knew who the defendant in the case was.
Mustapha, who said he is a lawyer and called to the Nigerian Bar in 1980, said Emefiele was the Governor of the CBN when he served as the SGF from 2017 to 2023.
When asked if he knew anything about the transaction relating to the payment of the $6,230,000, Mustapha said: “I wish to state that, up until when I left office, I knew nothing about this transaction.”
He was then shown a document, marked as Exhibit PD7 said to be a letter from President Buhari, approving the payment and asked if he recognised the document.
Mustapha said he was seeing the document for the first time in the court and that he never came across the document before.
He added: “On the face value of this document, having served (as the SGF) for five years and months, I can say that this document did not emanate from the office of the president.”
He gave reasons why he believed the document was not from Buhari to include that a correspondence that has the seal of the President, does not carry a reference number, adding that the seal serves the authority.
“Looking at the signature, it is a faint attempt at reproducing President Muhammadu Buhari’s signature,” he said.
He also faulted the document on the ground that it was purported to convey a decision of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), which is not normally conveyed via letters.
“I have looked at it. I have read it. Federal Executive Council’s decisions are not transmitted by letter. They are transmitted through extracts. After conclusions are adopted.
“I am the custodian of the record of the Federal Executive Council. So for that reason, the President will not be referring the conclusion of EXCO to me.
“In all the five years and seven months that I served, I have never heard of the term – Special Appropriation Provision – that was referred to here (in the letter),” Mustapha said.
The witness said he was only familiar with appropriation, as provided by the Appropriation Act passed by the National Assembly and Supplementary Appropriation.
He also faulted the concluding part of the letter, saying that it was unusual for the President to end his letter to the SGF by saying “Please accept the assurances of my highest regard.”
He said being the President’s subordinate, his letter to the SGF cannot end in that manner.
Mustapha also said the Nigerian government has no business funding foreign election observers, adding: “That I know as a fact because I have managed two election circles. INEC has the sole responsibility in that area.”
On the claim in the letter that the decision to approve money for foreign election observers was taken at the 187th FEC meeting held on January 18, 2023, the witness said it was not true.
He agreed that there was actually a FEC meeting on January 18, 2023 but that the meeting was presided over by the Vice President because the President was not around.
The witness also said the issue of payment to foreign election observers never featured on the meeting’s agenda which he prepared as the SGF.
“My role as the secretary is to prepare the agenda for the meeting and on that day there was a 16-point agenda. There was no item on the agenda that has to do with payment to foreign election observers,” he pointed out.
When shown another document, marked: Exhibit PD6, said to be his letter conveying the presidential approval to the Governor of the CBN, Mustapha also faulted it.
He said: “To the best of my knowledge, this letter did not emanate from the office of the SGF. If it did not emanate from the office, then I did not sign it. No, I did not sign it.”
Crime
Policeman Feared Dead As Gunmen Attack Checkpoint In Abia
A police officer is reportedly dead and another injured following an attack by unknown gunmen on a police checkpoint in the Ohafia area of Abia State.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday at Ugwu Abba Asaga, has sparked concerns over the rising wave of insecurity in the region.
The Abia State Police Command has yet to release an official statement regarding the attack. However, when contacted, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, assured reporters that she would provide updates, but no further details had been shared as of the time of this report.
READ MORE: FG Allocates N112bn To Enhance Child Safety, Education In Three Years
This incident is the latest in a series of violent attacks in Abia State. On Monday, the Abia State government accused unnamed politicians and external parties of fueling kidnappings and violence targeting security personnel and civilians since May 2024. In a statement signed by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, the government vowed to hold the perpetrators accountable.
“The promoters of violence and insecurity in the state will pay a heavy price,” the statement read.
However, John Okiyi Kalu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, criticized the government’s position. He argued that insecurity in the state should not be politicized but rather addressed through actionable measures.
The attack has heightened tensions in the state, with citizens calling for swift action to restore peace and ensure the safety of residents and security personnel alike.
Crime
Ebonyi Police Crackdown Leaves Labourer Dead, Three Others Injured
A yet-to-be-identified labourer was reportedly shot dead on Wednesday, while three others sustained critical injuries, during an altercation involving the Crack Squad of the Ebonyi State Police Command at Ugwuechara Junction in Abakaliki.
Witnesses say the incident began when members of the Crack Squad stopped a motorcycle rider, accusing him of fraud and attempting to seize his motorcycle.
The rider reportedly identified himself as a member of the military but was allegedly assaulted by the operatives.
READ MORE: NCS Bars PoS Services, Others Within Apapa Command Premises
An eyewitness recounted, “As the policemen removed his cap and started hitting him with their guns, the bike man tried to resist them, possibly to snatch one of their guns.
“One of the team opened fire, which killed one of the labour seekers, who usually gather at the junction to look for daily jobs. Three persons were wounded and were rushed to the hospital.”
The deceased, a labourer waiting for work at the junction, was struck by the gunfire. Among the injured are a young apprentice at a barbershop and a female passer-by.
Witnesses say the police operatives took the body of the deceased and the motorcycle rider to their station after the incident.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi, Joshua Ukandu, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages.
However, Obinna Mbam, the Special Assistant on Internal Security to Governor Francis Nwifuru, confirmed the incident.
“Normalcy has returned to the area,” Mr. Mbam said. “The state government will ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
The incident has sparked outrage among residents of Ebonyi State, who have raised concerns about the increasing cases of police brutality, extortion, and indiscriminate arrests.
Many residents also expressed dissatisfaction with the Crack Squad, which was established as part of police reforms following the disbandment of the controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in 2020.
Crime
IGP Files Fraud Charges Against Ex-Senator, Two Others Over N400m Scam
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has filed criminal charges against former Nigerian senator Andy Uba and two others, accusing them of defrauding a complainant, George Uboh, of N400 million.
The charges, which include two counts, were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Uba, who represented Anambra South in the Senate from 2011 to 2019, along with Crystal Uba and Benjamin Etu, is alleged to have conspired with Hajiya Fatima, who remains at large, to defraud Uboh in 2022.
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According to the charges, the accused individuals falsely claimed they could secure the appointment of the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for anyone who could pay N400 million.
“The accused persons collected the N400 million from Mr. Uboh and converted it into their personal use,” the police said, describing the actions as a violation of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act of 2006.
The police also revealed that six witnesses would testify against the accused parties.
The case was officially filed on 10 October 2023 by Abdulrashid Sidi from the Police Legal/Prosecution Section.
During a hearing on 13 November, the prosecution informed the court that the defendants had been evading the service of court documents despite being granted administrative bail.
“The defendants obtained a fundamental rights enforcement order, which had prevented the police from bringing them to court,” said M.L. Anthony, a lawyer for the prosecution.
“It was only after the order was lifted that the defendants were finally charged before the judge.”
The trial, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, was adjourned until 18 February 2025.
This delay allows time for the defendants to appear in court and take their plea, following the prosecution’s efforts to ensure they are properly served with legal documents.