● Tinubu’s star witness cites assassination threats, says court dates loom without security clearance
The Attorney-General’s silence may cost the federal government its star witness in the criminal trials of former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele.
Jim Obazee, the special investigator appointed by President Bola Tinubu to probe the apex bank, has told the AGF he is ready to testify.
But as of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, he said he had not received case briefings, court documents, or security assurances needed for his appearance.
–Court dates fixed, witness waits–
Obazee was subpoenaed by two Abuja courts to testify on June 9, July 2, and July 3, 2026.
He’s expected before Justice Maryanne Anenih on June 9-10 to speak on charges that Emefiele criminally withdrew ₦124.86 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Account without National Assembly approval.
He will also address allegations of illegal naira redesign.
Before Justice Hamza Muazu on July 2-3, Obazee will testify alongside CBN’s Elohor Edwin Okpoziakpo on the alleged theft of $6.23 million from CBN’s Abuja office.
“Jim Obazee has sent a letter to Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi with requests in anticipation of his court appearance, which he is prepared to attend,” a source was quoted to have said in a report by InsideBusinessNG.
—“I need security, documents, approval”—
Obazee’s letter, sent weeks ago, requested three things: timely notifications for court dates, copies of EFCC filings, and logistics and security for his safety inside and outside court.
The safety request, sources said, stems from alleged assassination attempts between 2024 and 2026 linked to his CBN probe. His investigation, which ran from July 2023 to April 2024, ended abruptly after exposing “sundry malfeasance” in the apex bank and other GBEs.
Without a response from the AGF’s office, Obazee missed the May hearing before Justice Anenih. “Late notification” was cited then.
—₦124bn CRA withdrawal at center of case—
The trial’s focus is Emefiele’s alleged directive to debit ₦124,860,227,865.16 from the CRA — the federal treasury account — and credit it to longstanding CBN debts.
CBN Deputy Director Hamisu Abdullahi, the 9th prosecution witness, told the court the money was used for items including ₦43 billion and ₦38.6 billion for pilgrimage subsidies.
Hamisu said Emefiele acted “without parliamentary approval required for such withdrawal, and also, without the approval of the president.”
He added that the CRA “golden rule” allows withdrawals only through appropriation acts passed by the National Assembly.
Under cross-examination, Hamisu said Emefiele did not personally benefit and that CBN directors and the Committee of Governors approved the recovery as “regular banking operations.”
—Trial stakes rise—
Legal observers say Obazee’s testimony is crucial. He led the investigation that uncovered the CRA withdrawals and naira redesign decisions. His absence in May already delayed proceedings.
With June 9 now days away, the AGF’s response will determine whether the prosecution’s key witness takes the stand — or whether the case stalls again.
