A forensic analyst Bamaiyi Haruna has revealed to The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court that the document indicating the approval of $6.2m for foreign election observers during President Buhari’s administration was forged.
The document examiner with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed this on Thursday while giving evidence as a witness for the trial of the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
Haruna’s testimony contradicted the purported “presidential approval” used for the transaction, with former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha .
During Thursday’s proceedings, Haruna emphasized that the specimen signatures did not match Buhari’s signature on the disputed document.
“My Lord, the conclusion of the examination showed that the questioned signature marked “X-X1” had suspicious evidence of forgery or copying act, as line quality, the form, skill of execution and pen movement were found to be different from the specimen signatures marked A-A2 and B-81″, he said.
“Specifically, the form and formation of the disputed signature marked X and specimen signatures marked 1 were different with respect to pen movement impulses, initial and terminal strokes, loops, tremors, and individual characteristics.
“This confirms that the author of specimen signatures marked B-81 did not write the signature of Muhammadu Buhari on the disputed document marked X. Also, the form and formation of the disputed signature marked X1 and specimen signatures marked A-A2 were also different with respect to pen movement impulses, initial and terminal strokes, loops, tremors, and individual characteristics. This confirms that the author of specimen signatures marked A-A2 did not write the signature of Boss Mustapha on the disputed document marked X1 and the same was produced into a report and returned to the requesting unit”.
He urged the court to consider his analysis, asserting that the signatures in question were forged. Emefiele, re-arraigned on amended charges related to fraud, maintained his plea of not guilty.
Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the trial to March 13 for further proceedings. The case continues to draw attention as it unveils alleged financial irregularities at the highest levels of the Nigerian government.
Credit: Nigerian Tribune