By Ranti Thomas
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday presented additional documentary evidence before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja in the ongoing trial of lawyer Olasubomi Osinusi over an alleged $6.52 million forgery case.
Osinusi is facing a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit felony and fabricating evidence, allegations he has denied.
At the resumed hearing, the EFCC called its first prosecution witness, Assistant Commissioner of Police and investigator Umar Hussain Babangida, who continued his testimony before Justice Mojisola Dada.
Babangida told the court that during the investigation, the defendant admitted receiving emails in November 2015 from one Emenike Imana containing several documents, including a sworn statement and a “To Whom It May Concern” letter allegedly bearing the defendant’s official seal and authorization.
According to the witness, the defendant also acknowledged receiving an earlier email requesting him to prepare a legal document for use in litigation involving the Central Bank of Nigeria before a court in the United Kingdom.
He said the document was prepared on the letterhead of Olasubomi Osinusi & Associates and signed by the defendant before it was allegedly forwarded for use in the foreign court proceedings.
The prosecution sought to tender the emails and accompanying documents as evidence, but defence counsel objected, arguing that the materials did not meet the legal requirements for admissibility.
Justice Dada, however, dismissed the objection, ruling that the documents were voluntarily submitted by the defendant during the investigation and were not extra-judicial statements. The court subsequently admitted them as exhibits.
Babangida further testified that the EFCC wrote to the Central Bank of Nigeria to verify the authenticity of several disputed documents allegedly linked to the case.
According to him, the CBN informed investigators that it had no record of receiving the documents, stated that the official seal appearing on them did not match its authentic seal and confirmed that the documents were never entered into its official records.
The witness also told the court that the commission contacted the Nigerian Army to verify claims that one Dan Jafaru Mohammed served as a Principal Staff Officer with the rank of Colonel.
He said the Army replied that it had no record of any serving or retired officer bearing that name.
Babangida added that after investigators were informed that Mohammed Jafaru was allegedly also known as Samuel Taidi, the Army confirmed that Brigadier General Samuel Taidi served in the military but never used the name Mohammed Jafaru during or after his career.
The witness further stated that the Chief of Defence Staff’s office also confirmed there was no record showing Mohammed Jafaru served under the late Chief of General Staff, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu.
The prosecution tendered certified copies of the correspondence between the EFCC, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Army, all of which were admitted in evidence without objection from the defence.
Justice Dada subsequently adjourned the matter until July 9, 2026, for the continuation of trial.