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Godwin Emefiele trial hears ministry knew nothing of N124.86bn withdrawal

Nigeria

Godwin Emefiele trial hears ministry knew nothing of N124.86bn withdrawal

Ali Mohammed, a director in Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Finance, told an Abuja court that ministry officials were unaware of a N124.86 billion withdrawal from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under former governor Godwin Emefiele.

Mohammed testified as the 10th prosecution witness in Emefiele’s ongoing trial at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama. He said the ministry became aware of the matter after investigators sent a letter concerning N154 billion reportedly withdrawn by the CBN.

Mohammed said he checked with the three divisions under his supervision, including the division responsible for state and public finance. None knew about the transaction, he told the court.

He also said he wrote to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, which replied that it had no knowledge of the transaction. Ministry records classified it as a direct debit by the CBN, the witness said.

Emefiele is facing a separate four-count case in Abuja over alleged disobedience to the law and an illegal act causing public injury. The charges include allegations concerning the approval of colour-swapped N1,000 notes; he has pleaded not guilty.

In a separate case in Lagos, Emefiele’s absence stalled proceedings at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja. His lawyer said he was attending the Abuja trial.

Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned the Lagos case against Emefiele and co-defendant Henry Omoile to November 11, 12 and 13, 2026. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to charges in that case.

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