The Federal Government has indicated plans to prosecute former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and other individuals allegedly linked to the $6.23 million theft at the Abuja branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), disclosed this during proceedings at the Abuja High Court while responding to testimony by the government’s star witness and Special Investigator, Jim Obazee.
Obazee, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in July 2023 to probe alleged financial misconduct within the CBN and related agencies, had earlier told the court that more than 10 individuals were connected to the alleged fraud, yet only the former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, is currently standing trial.
Testifying before Justice Hamza Muazu, Obazee questioned what he described as selective prosecution, insisting that all those allegedly involved in the transaction should be charged to ensure justice and accountability.
He named several individuals allegedly linked to the transaction, including Mustapha, Emefiele’s former Personal Assistant, Eric Odoh, as well as Emmanuel Odeh Dickson, Jibril Abubakar, and Bashirudeen Maishanu, among others.
According to Obazee, investigations revealed that £856,500 had already been recovered from Maishanu, who reportedly confessed to diverting part of the funds. He argued that the recovery and confession underscored the involvement of multiple actors in the alleged fraud.
On Mustapha’s role, the witness told the court that the former SGF did not deny signing a letter requesting the release of the funds, raising questions as to why he had not been charged alongside Emefiele.
Obazee also expressed concern over an alleged authorisation letter said to have been signed by Mustapha on the instruction of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that the document was not found in the official presidential handover notes.
He maintained that for the integrity of the judicial process, all individuals connected to the case, including those deceased, should be formally identified in court records to ensure a comprehensive account of the incident.
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Obazee further argued that prosecuting all alleged participants would serve as a deterrent against corruption and boost public confidence in the country’s justice system.
Following submissions by both the prosecution and defence teams, Justice Muazu adjourned the case to October 20, 2026, for continuation of trial.
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