A director in the Federal Ministry of Finance has told an FCT High Court that neither the ministry nor the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) had records of the N124.86 billion withdrawal linked to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) during the tenure of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele.
Ali Mohammed, the 10th prosecution witness in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) case against Emefiele, gave the evidence before Justice Maryanne Anenih at the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
Key Highlights
- A Finance Ministry director testified about the Emefiele N124.86 billion withdrawal.
- The witness said the Finance Ministry had no record or knowledge of the transaction.
- The Accountant-General of the Federation’s office also reportedly had no record of the withdrawal.
- The witness said withdrawals from the relevant government account ordinarily required the involvement of the Finance Ministry and OAGF.
- The OAGF reportedly classified the transaction as a direct debit by the CBN.
- Documents exchanged between the Finance Ministry and OAGF were tendered and admitted as exhibits.
- The evidence forms part of the EFCC’s prosecution of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele.
- The defence has yet to test the witness’s evidence through cross-examination.
- Justice Maryanne Anenih adjourned the proceedings for cross-examination of the witness.
Emefiele N124.86bn Withdrawal Comes Under Court Scrutiny
The alleged N124.86 billion withdrawal from the government’s Consolidated Revenue Account has emerged as a key issue in the ongoing trial of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele.
Mohammed, who serves as Director of Home Finance at the Federal Ministry of Finance, told the court that his ministry was not aware of the transaction.
He explained that he became aware of the issue after receiving an inquiry from a special investigator appointed by President Bola Tinubu to examine financial transactions linked to the CBN under Emefiele.
The witness said he subsequently convened an emergency meeting involving three divisions under his supervision to determine whether any of them had records of the transaction.
Finance Ministry Says It Had No Record of N124.86bn Debit
Mohammed said the divisions responsible for State Finance and Public Investments, Trade, and Banking and Other Financial Institutions all confirmed that they had no knowledge of the transaction.
The Banking and Other Financial Institutions division is among the units that interface with the CBN, according to the witness.
Following the internal checks, Mohammed said he wrote to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation through the Permanent Secretary to establish whether the office had any record of the transaction.
The OAGF reportedly responded that it was also unaware of the withdrawal.
OAGF Describes Transaction as Direct CBN Debit
According to the testimony, the OAGF concluded that the transaction represented a direct debit by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Mohammed explained that a direct debit in this context meant the money was withdrawn by the CBN without recourse to the other government offices ordinarily involved in processing such payments.
The witness also told the court that the Finance Ministry and OAGF would ordinarily be involved in directing deductions before certain withdrawals could be made.
The evidence formed part of the prosecution’s attempt to establish the circumstances surrounding the disputed transaction.
Court Admits Finance Ministry and OAGF Documents
The prosecution tendered letters exchanged between the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, did not object to the documents being admitted, and Justice Maryanne Anenih admitted them as exhibits.
Mohammed said he signed the Finance Ministry’s response only after receiving the written reply from the Accountant-General’s office.
The documents are expected to form part of the evidence the court will consider as the prosecution continues to present its case.
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EFCC Presents 10th Prosecution Witness
Mohammed is the 10th prosecution witness called by the EFCC in the ongoing case.
The prosecution has presented evidence relating to alleged financial transactions and other issues connected to Emefiele’s tenure as CBN governor.
The former CBN governor has faced multiple criminal proceedings since his removal from office in 2023, including allegations relating to abuse of office, financial transactions and the controversial naira redesign.
Emefiele has denied the allegations against him.
Evidence Yet to Be Tested by Defence
The testimony concerning the N124.86 billion withdrawal remains part of the prosecution’s evidence and has not, at this stage, established who ultimately authorised the transaction or what happened to the funds.
The defence is expected to challenge the witness’s evidence during cross-examination.
The court proceedings will therefore determine how the testimony and documentary evidence are weighed against the allegations contained in the charges.
Court Adjourns Emefiele Trial
Justice Maryanne Anenih adjourned the proceedings to allow the defence to cross-examine Mohammed.
The continuation of the trial is expected to provide the defence an opportunity to question the witness on the Finance Ministry’s records, the OAGF response and the circumstances surrounding the alleged CBN debit.
The case remains ongoing, and the court has yet to determine the final outcome of the allegations against Emefiele.
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