Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, took the stand at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, providing crucial testimony in the ongoing trial of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

Emefiele is facing a 20-count amended charge, including corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and obtaining by false pretenses, amounting to $6,230,000. The charges allege Emefiele impersonated the SGF to unlawfully obtain the funds.

As Prosecution Witness 2, Mustapha categorically denied any involvement or knowledge of the transaction, stating that the disputed document did not originate from the SGF office during his tenure, which ended in May 2023. Mustapha, who served for five years and seven months, emphasized that the document in question did not bear the signature of then-President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a twist revealed on Monday by Prosecution Witness 1, Onyeka Ogbu, the ex-CBN governor had allegedly approved $6,230,000 in cash for international election observers during the 2023 general election. Ogbu, the Deputy Director of Branch Operations at the apex bank, disclosed that he reviewed and sanctioned the payment request.

Mustapha, during his testimony, expressed unfamiliarity with the term “Special Appropriation Provision” and clarified that, throughout his tenure, he only encountered “Appropriation” and “Supplementary.” Furthermore, he contested the authenticity of correspondence ending with “Please accept with my highest regard,” asserting it as a failed attempt to replicate President Buhari’s signature.

According to Mustapha, the Federal Government has no jurisdiction over the payment of foreign election observers, contending that decisions of the Federal Executive Council are not transmitted through letters.