Bashirudden Muhammed Maishanu, a witness in the trial of the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has told Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, how the sum of $6,230,000.00 was withdrawn from the bank with forged documents.
According to the witness, the funds were withdrawn at the Garki Branch of the Apex Bank on February 8, 2023, stating that the forged documents were said to be for election observers and logistics. The witness was an assistant director in the CBN and was led in evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) prosecutor.
Witness speaks on Emefiele's trial
He informed the court that he knew the defendant (Emefiele) through one Eric, who was his personal assistant as the governor of the CBN. Maishanu added that one Alhaji Ahmed approached him in early January 2023, saying that Emefiele's P. A directed Ahmed to him about some transactions they were processing at the apex bank.
His narration reads in part:
"He said he was working in a Special Committee in the SGF office. I asked him for I.D. and he showed me. I asked him to call Mr Eric so that I could confirm he indeed asked him to see me. He called Mr Eric, and we spoke, and he said he knew Alhaji Ahmed, and he said indeed he did ask him to see me. Thereafter, Mr Ahmed explained to me that they were processing a payment from the CBN on the authority of the President and that once they obtained the presidential approval on paper, they would proceed to the CBN for payment. I asked Ahmed what role I was to play because I was not working in the branch where the payment was made. He said it was too early at that time, and that once they obtained the approval of the government, he would let me know.”
Update on Godwin Emefiele's trial
According to the details shared by the EFCC on its social media page on Thursday, January 29, the witness further told the court that Ahmed returned to him one week after and said that they had obtained the approval of the president, which he demanded to see.
He said:
"He showed me the copy and told me that they will now go to the CBN to obtain Mr Emefiele's approval. At that point, he told me that they wanted cash payment and if I could either go with them or recommend someone to go with them. I told him I couldn't go, and I suggested that I should call someone I knew.”
You can read the full statement on X here:
Emefiele: Witness Narrates How $6.23m was Withdrawn from CBN in an Instant with Forged Papers
— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) January 29, 2026
The Eleventh Prosecution Witness, PW11, Bashirudden Muhammed Maishanu in the trial of former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, on Thursday, January 29, 2026, told… pic.twitter.com/s5j1wJORfY
