Fresh Wahala For Emefiele As Buhari’s Aide Boss Mustapha Says Ex-President’s Signature Was Forged For $6.2m Elections Payout
Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, has denied that his principal approved $6.2 million purportedly paid to foreign election observers.
In a court testimony today that appeared to be driving the nail further into Emefiele’s coffin, Mustapha insinuated that Buhari’s purported signature on the memo approving the payout was forged.
The former was testifying in the current trial of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, who is answering to the 20-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Emefiele is facing trial for criminal conspiracy, conferring undue advantage, and breach of trust among others.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Mustapha denied knowledge of the $6.2 million paid out to foreign observers who monitored Nigeria’s 2023 polls.
Mustapha said he only learnt about the supposed payment in December 2023.
Shown the approval document from the office of the President, Mustapha submitted: “On the face value of the document, I can say having served five years and seven months, this document did not emanate from the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Federal Executive Council (FEC) decisions are not transmitted by letters. They are transmitted through extracts after conclusions are adopted.
“I am the custodian of the record of FEC, for that reason, the president cannot refer any executive conclusion to me.
“All the years I have served, I have never heard of the term special appropriation provision. The two terms known to me are appropriation as provided for by the Appropriation Act passed by the national assembly. The second is when the government finds a gap, it brings a supplementary appropriation.
“In all the correspondences I have received from Buhari, it has never had ‘please accept the assurance of my highest regard’. I am his subordinate. The signature is a failed attempt at reproducing President Muhammadu Buhari’s signature. But I will leave that to the experts.”
