A senior official of the Federal Ministry of Finance has told an Abuja court that the ministry was unaware of a ₦124.86 billion withdrawal from the Consolidated Revenue Account during the tenure of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele.
Ali Mohammed, a director in the ministry’s Department of Home Finance, gave the testimony on Tuesday before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, where Emefiele is standing trial on charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Mohammed, appearing as the prosecution’s 10th witness, said none of the divisions under his supervision had knowledge of the transaction when the ministry was contacted by investigators.
According to his testimony, the ministry subsequently contacted the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, which also said it had no knowledge of the ₦124.86 billion transaction.
How the ₦124.86bn Withdrawal Became an Issue
The witness told the court that the transaction was classified in ministry records as a direct debit by the CBN.
He explained that withdrawals from the Consolidated Revenue Account would ordinarily involve the relevant government authorities, including the Finance Ministry and the Office of the Accountant-General.
Documents relating to the correspondence between the ministry, the Accountant-General’s office and investigators were admitted by Justice Maryanne Anineh as exhibits after the defence raised no objection to their admission.
Premium Times reported that another CBN official, Hamisu Abdullahi, had earlier testified that the ₦124.8 billion was used to settle what he described as the central bank’s “internal debts.” He also told the court that the withdrawal did not receive National Assembly approval.
Why the Consolidated Revenue Account Matters
The Consolidated Revenue Fund is the federal government account into which most federally collected revenue is paid.
Government expenditure from the account is generally subject to constitutional and legislative requirements, including appropriation by the National Assembly. The prosecution is relying on the disputed withdrawal as part of its case against the former CBN governor.
Emefiele is facing a four-count charge in the case, including allegations connected to the controversial redesign of the naira and the withdrawal of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Account. He has contested the charges against him.
What Happens Next
Justice Anineh adjourned proceedings for the cross-examination of the Finance Ministry official and continuation of the trial.
The testimony does not by itself establish criminal liability against Emefiele. The prosecution is presenting its evidence, while the defence will have the opportunity to challenge the witnesses and documents before the court reaches a decision.
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