I did not keep records of monies collected for Emefiele — Witnesss

A dispatch rider, Mr. Monday Osazuwa, the first prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, told the court on Monday that he kept no record of monies collected for the ex-CBN governor.

Osazuwa made the disclosure before a Lagos Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja during a re-cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN).

Emefiele is facing trial over alleged abuse of office and money laundering involving $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, on April 8, 2024, on 23 counts bordering on abuse of office, accepting gratification, corrupt demand, receiving property fraudulently obtained, and conferring corrupt advantage.

During Monday’s trial, Osazuwa, recalled for cross-examination, testified before Justice Rahman Oshodi that Emefiele instructed him not to keep records of any money he collected on his behalf.

He had earlier testified on April 12, 2024, when led in evidence by EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), detailing how Emefiele instructed him on several occasions to collect cash in tranches, including sums of $3 million.

“The highest amount I collected was $1 million, all in cash. Some weeks later, I also collected $850,000, $750,000, and $400,000 in tranches,” Osazuwa testified.

“I did not keep records of transactions because the instructions from Emefiele were to collect the money and deliver it to his house. When he was not at home, I was directed to hand the money to the second defendant (Omoile).”

The witness, who joined CBN as a contract staff in 2014 after working at Zenith Bank since 2001, explained that Emefiele had been his superior at Zenith Bank before his move to CBN. He was later promoted to Senior Supervisor, managing document filing and other administrative roles in the CBN governor’s office in Lagos.

When Ojo questioned whether Osazuwa mentioned in any of his three statements to the EFCC that Emefiele instructed him not to keep records, Osazuwa admitted he had not included it. He also confirmed there were no documents showing receipts for the money he collected for Emefiele, nor any acknowledgement from the defendants.

Asked if he understood the importance of keeping financial records, the witness responded that such records were for future reference but said he had followed Emefiele’s instructions not to keep any.

“I did not produce any record. I obeyed the instructions based on the money I collected for him,” Osazuwa told the court.

He was shown his three extrajudicial statements made to the EFCC on February 13, 15, and 23, 2024, to refresh his memory. After reviewing them, Osazuwa reiterated, “I did not state it in my statement, but he instructed me not to record it. Whenever he wasn’t around, I was to give the money directly to the second defendant.”

Osazuwa also informed the court that he was detained in EFCC custody for one week before being released on bail. He further noted that there were no witnesses present when he handed over the money to Emefiele.

During cross-examination by the second defense counsel, Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), Osazuwa was asked if he had stated in his testimony that he and the second defendant counted the money in the envelope collected for Emefiele. He responded in the negative.

Earlier, the fifth prosecution witness, Mrs. Ifeoma Ogbonnaya, a Business Relationship Manager with Zenith Bank Plc, concluded her testimony. She told the court that she had provided statements of accounts for Comec, Limelight, and Amswin Resources Limited to regulators, with the documents addressed to Mrs. Margaret Emefiele, wife of the former governor.

Ogbonnaya clarified that none of the documents she provided contained any direct connection to Emefiele. She also testified that she had no dealings with the second defendant, Henry Isioma-Omoile.

“I do not have any relationship with the second defendant regarding any of the three accounts mentioned,” Ogbonnaya said.

The sixth prosecution witness, Mr. John Ogah, also testified, stating that he had worked at Zenith Bank as Secretary to Emefiele when the latter was Managing Director. He later joined the CBN, continuing in his role as Secretary to the governor.

Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Ogah explained that his duties at the CBN included receiving and managing both internal and external communications for the governor.

“I worked in the CBN governor’s office and took instructions directly from Godwin Emefiele,” Ogah told the court.

Asked whether he knew one Adetola John, Ogah responded, “Yes, I know Adetola; he was my colleague. We both worked in the CBN governor’s office—he was based in Lagos, while I was in Abuja.”

Ogah further testified that while working for Emefiele, he was instructed to send documents related to Comec, Limelight, and Amswin Resources Limited to the companies’ account officer at Zenith Bank.

“I scanned the documents and sent them via the officer’s official email,” Ogah added.

After listening to the testimonies, Justice Oshodi adjourned the trial to October 30 and 31, 2024, for further proceedings.