Former Secretary to Government of the Federation, AGF, Boss Mustapha has said that two letters which the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, relied upon to pay the sum of $6, 230,000 to foreign election observers did not emanate from his office.
He told the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court sitting in Maitama on Tuesday that one of the letters said to have emanated from President Muhammad Buhari to the CBN that authorized the transaction was forged as it did not emanate from the former President.
Mustapha , who served as secretary to the government of the Federation between 2017 and 2023 under Buhari administration further told the court that as the secretary to the government, his job includes co-ordinating government activities, secretary to the Federal Executive Council, Security Council, secretary to other bodies and organisations in which the President appointed him to serve.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel,Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, as the 2nd prosecution witness Mustapha in the ongoing trial of Emefiele for criminal breach of trust and forgery, adduced seven reasons why the letters did not emanate from his office or former President Buhari.
He said a correspondent that has seal of the Federal Government of Nigeria from the office of AGF doesn’t carry references number. Secondly, He explained that the resolution of National Executive Council Meeting are not transmitted by letter but by extracts after conclusion are adopted.
Third, as the custodian of the EXCO correspondences and resolutions and “he was not aware of the two letters.”
Fourth, That through out the period he served as SGF he never heard of the term “Special Appropriation ” but Appropriation as provided for in Appropriation Act, and Complementary Appropriation.
Fifth , that all the correspondences he received from former President Buhari it never ended with “Accept my assurance of highest regards” because I am his subordinate .
Six, Mustapha said that the signature on the letter was a failed attempt to forge President Buhari’s signature.But he said he would leave that to signature experts.
Seventh, the former secretary to the government said Nigerian government has no business funding Foreign Election Observers adding that it is work of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Mustapha said that there was an Executive Council Meeting on February 18,2023 chaired by the Vice President Yomi Osibanjo and that he Mustapha prepared the 16 points agenda of the meeting and none deal with the payment to foreign election observers. No such approval was given.
Stating that he is not privy to the operation of CBN ,Mustapha said that he never wrote any letter to the governor of CBN.
He said that five other letters that deal with the payment of $6,230,000 were internal memos of the CBN . Mustapha also told the court that he was not aware of any Special Task Force and he didn’t know one Jibrin Abubakar who coordinated the said Special Task Force.
Former Secretary to the government said that he couldn’t have written the governor of CBN and end the letter with best assurance of highest regard, adding that he only use it for his superior officers.
Under Cross examination by defence counsel , Matthew Burkaa SAN, said that Jibrin Abubakar who CBN said collected the money in cash was not his staff. Whoever that man is should answer for his misdeed.
He denied that the money was dropped in his office. He also denied receiving any from anybody. Mustapha said that he became aware of the fraud on December 23,2023 when the report of Special Investigator was leaked in social media linking him to the fraud.
Mustapha further told the court that he issued a statement and denied it. Asked whether he read Emefiele statement on the report, Mustapha said “I didn’t read it.
Asked whether he received money, Mustapha said ” I didn’t receive a dime “
Was there any memo from the President to CBN to make payment. None my Lord in respect of this transaction.
The trial Court judge, Hamza Mu’azu adjourned the matter to March 7, 11 ,25 for continuation of trial.