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•Urges authorities to probe source of ‘fabricated documents’
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, has denied a report alleging his involvement in the illegal withdrawal of $6.3 million from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) during the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.
Mustapha therefore called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the matter, urging the authorities to “probe the source of the fabricated documents” and expose those behind the “smear” campaign.”
He equally appealed to the public and the media to exercise critical thinking and not succumb to misinformation. The report, published by an online newspaper, claimed that a special investigator appointed by President Bola Tinubu uncovered the alleged theft, which supposedly occurred on February 8, 2023, weeks before the presidential election.
The investigation revealed that Mustapha, alongside the former embattled former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, ordered the removal of the cash under the guise of funding foreign election observer missions.
The investigator’s report claimed CCTV footage captured how the money was moved out of the CBN. However, Mustapha, in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen at the weekend, emphatically refuted the accusations, calling them “outrageous and unsubstantiated”.
He described the allegation as a “malicious fabrication” and an “orchestrated” attempt to assassinate his character and besmirch my reputation, adding that he lacked knowledge of the purported “Presidential Directive” cited in the report as justification for the withdrawal.
While saying that he was never involved in discussions or transactions related to any payments for foreign election observers, Mustapha questioned the timing of the allegation, pointing to its publication during the “sensitive pre-Christmas period” as an indication that it was a deliberate attempt to exploit public sentiment and sow seeds of doubt.
Mustapha’s statement read in part: “The article hinges on the dubious premise of forged documents and a misleading narrative. It claims that $6.3 million was withdrawn from the CBN vaults based on a purported “Presidential Directive” bearing the signature of President Buhari. This document, unsurprisingly, has not been presented for public scrutiny. In fact, I have no knowledge of such a directive, nor was I ever involved in any discussions or transactions regarding the alleged payment to foreign election observers.
“I demand a thorough and transparent investigation into this matter. Let the relevant authorities probe the source of these fabricated documents and expose those responsible for this malicious attempt to damage my reputation.
I have nothing to hide and welcome any legitimate investigation that sheds light on the truth.
“Throughout my career in public service, I have always upheld the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct. I have served with dedication and transparency, and my record speaks for itself. I will not allow this baseless and defamatory attack to go unchallenged. I will defend my reputation vigorously and ensure that the truth prevails.
“This is not just about me; it is about upholding the integrity of public service and safeguarding the reputation of those who have served this country with honour. I trust that the Nigerian people will see through this orchestrated attack and recognize it for what it truly is: a desperate attempt to silence a voice of reason and integrity.”
