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Document okaying payment of $6.2m to foreign election observers did not emanate from my office -ex SGF tells court
The former Secretary to government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha on Tuesday told an FCT High Court the document okaying the payment of 6.2 million dollars did not come from his office.
Mustapha said this as a witness in the ongoing trial of suspended governor of the central bank of Nigeria (CBN) charged with alleged procurement fraud.
The Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged him to court on amended 20- count charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, conferring undue advantage, breach of trust among others.
In some of the amended charge, EFCC, alleged that Emefiele, in Jan. 2023, forged a document titled: “RE: PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS,” dated 26 January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.
The EFCC said Emefiele made the claim despite knowing that it was false “and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.”
However, he pleaded not guilty to the charges when it was read to him.
Mustapha was led in evidence by the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
The EFCC tendered some documents to the court among which included letters from the former president, Muhammadu Buhari and the office of the SGF.
Mustapha said:”I do not know anything about this transaction.
” All through my five years and seven months as the SGF I have never come across this documents.
” On the first value of this document have served for these years, this documents did not emanate from the office of the president ” he said.
He told the court that the seal does not carry a reference number adding the federal executive council (FEC) ‘s decision are not transmitted this way but through extract after the adoption.
Mustapha said he was a custodian and the one to give the information and have not heard of the term known as ‘ special appropriation provision ‘ as contained in the documents.
” I have not heard or known this term, the two terms known to me are ‘ Appropriation ‘ as provided by the Appropriation Act and the ‘ supplementary appropriation.
” In all the correspondence I have received, the president can never bear ‘ accept my highest regards.’
” Looking at the signature, it is an attempt to reproducing the president signature, secondly, the Nigerian government does not have business funding election observers” he said.
He told the court that at a meeting he had on Jan. 18, 2023, was presided over by the then vice president , Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, no payment of foreign election observers was approved.
” The letter did not emanate from the office of the SGF. If it did not emanate, it means I did not sign it.
” I do not know any one called Jubril Abubakar, a principal officer in my office who was said to be the cashier of the money on Feb. 8, 2023″ he said.
During cross examination by Emefiele ‘s counsel, Mathew Barkka, SAN when asked if the cashier Jubril worked in his office, he said ‘ Jubril is not my staff.’
” Whoever the Jubril is should be answerable for his act. I have never discussed money for election observers with the defendant.
After listening to the testimony, justice Hamza Muazu adjourned until March 7, March 11 and March 25 for continuation of hearing.
Earlier, the PW2, Onyeka Ogbu who testified yesterday was cross examined he told the court that he acted based on what he saw on the paper given to him.
” I did not pay any money to the defendant, and not aware such was paid into his account .
” The money was paid to one Jubril Abubakar from the former secretary to the government of the Federation (SGF).
He said the identity card he used was neither, international passport, driver license, voter’s card nor National identification number.
Answering the question that whether everyone involved in this transaction was standing trial, he said no.
When asked if the law on money laundering allows for an individual to bear cash of such amount. He answered no.(NAN)
Demands Full Disclosure on Refurbished Refineries
A coalition of lawyers and civil society organizations (CSOs) today submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), seeking full disclosure on the status of refineries refurbished during the tenure of Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer.
The Concerned Citizens Against Corruption, leading the coalition, demanded transparency and accountability on the reported expenditure of $4 billion on refineries repairs.
Led by Comrade Ogwuche Emmanuel, the group alleged inflation of refineries rehabilitation contracts, fraudulent allocation of crude oil proceeds, misappropriation of funds, and other questionable practices during Kyari’s tenure from July 2019 to April 2025.
The FOI request seeks specific details on payments to consultants and contractors, crude oil allocations, budgetary provisions for the AKK Pipeline Project, documentation on gasoline imports, and information on crude-backed loans and oil exploration activities.
The group emphasized the need for accountability and restoring public trust in NNPCL’s operations.
They urged the NNPCL to provide the requested information within the stipulated timeframe under the Freedom of Information Act.
“We are concerned about the growing reports of monumental Inflation of the Refineries Rehabilitation Contracts with allegations that the costs of refurbishing the refineries were significantly inflated, Fraudulent Allocation and Mismanagement of Crude Oil Proceeds, Misappropriation of Funds in the AKK Gas Pipeline Project, Fuel Subsidy Fraud, Value Review for NNPCL’s Crude-Backed Loans, and Fraudulent Oil Exploration Activities that have yielded no benefits to the nation,” the letter signed by Comrade Ogwuche Emmanuel said.
“Our findings, supported by reliable intelligence, suggest a pattern of institutionalizing of these questionable practices during Mallam Kyari’s tenure. As an organisation of law-abiding Nigerians, who are affected by these identified issues, we require information to seek judicial intervention.
“Consequently, we require the following information from July 1, 2019 to April 29, 2025: Specific details of payments to consultants and contractors, work scopes, and the justification for payments for the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna Refineries.
“Information regarding crude oil allocations and financial transactions under the guise of pipeline security payments. Details of the budgetary provisions, foreign financing arrangements, and physical progress of the AKK Pipeline Project.
“Documentation including ship records, bills of lading, and discharge certificates for gasoline imports during the stated period. Information regarding the structure, terms, and purposes of crude-backed loans taken from 2019 to date.
“Documentation and feasibility outcomes of oil exploration activities in Gombe, Bauchi, Ogun, and Nasarawa states. Given the gravity of the allegations that necessitated this request, it is imperative that the NNPCL provides full transparency on the expenditures and activities undertaken during Mallam Kyari’s tenure”.
The All Progressive Congress (APC) Chairman for Zamfara State, Alhaji Tukur Umar Danfulani, has lauded Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, for his unwavering support.
The commendation came as Danfulani presented his appointment letter as the new Board Chairman, Federal Medical Centre, Azare, Bauchi state, a position conferred by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
During a visit to the minister’s office, Tukur Danfulani expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu for the trust and opportunity, pledging to execute his duties with integrity and dedication to align with the president’s expectations.
“I am profoundly grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for this appointment and his generosity,” Danfulani said.
He also acknowledged Dr Matawalle’s consistent backing, crediting the minister’s support as instrumental to his new role.
In response, Dr Matawalle urged Danfulani to uphold honesty, commitment, and patriotism in his leadership at the Medical Centre, emphasising the importance of serving with distinction.
The appointment marks a significant step in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare administration, with Danfulani expected to bring his experience to enhance the operations of the Federal Medical Centre in Azare, Bauchi state.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested businessman Emeka Okonkwo, popularly known as E-Money, on Tuesday morning.
E-Money, who is the CEO of Emmy Cargoes Nigeria Limited and Five Star Music, was arrested in Lagos State for alleged abuse of the naira.
He is being held at the EFCC facility in Lagos, according to sources who confirmed his arrest to ELANZANEWS on Tuesday.
According to the source, E-Money is being investigated for allegedly spraying both Naira and US dollars at a party in Lagos in violation of Nigeria’s currency laws.