Buhari, Mustapha should face trial like Emefiele for $6.23m cash withdrawal, investigator testifies

Jim Obazee, the special investigator appointed by President Bola Tinubu, has called for the prosecution of former President Muhammadu Buhari and his former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha. Obazee testified in court that both officials should face charges alongside former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele for the alleged fraudulent withdrawal of $6.23 million from the CBN's vault in February 2023. "For actions and inactions, Mr Buhari ought to be charged and must be charged along with Emefiele in this $6.2 million fraud, even if posthumously," Obazee stated during his testimony at the FCT High Court in Abuja. The investigator criticized the government for prosecuting only Emefiele in a case he believes involved more than ten people, emphasizing that the large sum was released without due diligence. Obazee suggested that prosecuting all individuals involved, including former CBN board members and a current staff member who allegedly refunded part of the money, would serve as a significant deterrent. He specifically mentioned Bashirudeen Maishanu, a CBN staff member, and dismissed Boss Mustapha's denial of involvement, stating that Mustapha's office initiated the request for the funds. Obazee believes that prosecuting all implicated parties could reduce Nigeria's problems by 50 percent.

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For actions and inactions, Mr Buhari ought to be charged and must be charged along with Emefiele in this $6.2 million fraud, even if posthumously, since national honours are given posthumously.