Finance Ministry Unaware of ₦124.86 Billion CBN Withdrawal

In the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele, Ali Mohammed, a Director in the Federal Ministry of Finance, testified at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that the Ministry had no knowledge of a ₦124.86 billion withdrawal from the Central Bank of Nigeria. Mohammed, serving as prosecution witness 10, stated that his Ministry received a letter regarding a ₦154 billion withdrawal, prompting him to consult the three divisions under his supervision.

None of these divisions were aware of the transaction. He explained that the Minister of Finance does not directly handle payments, necessitating a letter to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to confirm the transaction's legitimacy.

The Accountant-General's response indicated that the office was unaware of the withdrawal, concluding it was a direct credit from the Central Bank. Mohammed subsequently communicated this information to the Special Investigator, providing relevant documents, including a letter signed by the Accountant-General.