Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has denied allegations of his involvement in the purported unauthorized withdrawal of $6.3 million from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) vault during President Buhari’s tenure.
Mustapha’s denial comes in response to a report from a special panel tasked with probing the CBN, which claimed that money from the foreign payments office at the CBN’s Abuja branch was withdrawn for foreign election observer missions.
In a strongly worded statement released on Saturday, Mustapha dismissed the accusations as “outrageous and unsubstantiated.” He labeled the article as a “malicious fabrication” and an “orchestrated” effort to tarnish his character and smear his reputation.
The former SGF expressed his lack of awareness regarding the alleged “Presidential Directive” mentioned in the report as the basis for the withdrawal. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive and open inquiry into the issue, urging authorities to investigate the origin of the forged documents and unveil those responsible for the alleged “smear” campaign.
“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 It claims that $6.3 million was withdrawn from the CBN vaults based on a purported ‘Presidential Directive’ bearing the signature of President Buhari.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.
“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,” he stated.
