A dispatch rider, Monday Osazuwa, has testified before a Lagos High court sitting in Ikeja that the former Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele, instructed him not to keep any record of the monies he allegedly collected on Emefiele’s behalf.
Osazuwa, who is the first prosecution witness in the trial of Emefiele, took the witness box again on Monday following an application granted by Justice Rahman Oshodi for his recall.
Emefiele is standing trial over alleged abuse of office and money laundering to the tune of $4.5bn and N2.8bn.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, Osazuwa, who was cross-examined by Emefiele’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olalekan Ojo testified that Emefiele did talk to him directly a few times during which he advised him not to write anything down in respect of any money he received or delivered.
The witness also acknowledged that he didn’t have any document from either Emefiele or his co-accused, Henry Omoile acknowledging the receipt of such monies.
Osazuwa also admitted that there was no witness when he handed over such money to Emefiele.
Before his testimony, the fifth prosecution witness, a business relationship manager with Zenith Bank Plc, Mrs. Ifeoma Ogbonnaya, in conclusion of her testimony, reiterated that there was communication between her and Mrs Margaret Emefiele in respect of the account of three companies.
She also confirmed that in all the documents available to her as the representative of Zenith Bank, there was nothing connecting Emefiele to the transactions nor was there any dealings with the second defendant, Henry Omoile.
A 6th Prosecution Witness, John Ogah, a former staff of Zenith Bank and Secretary (in charge of administration) to the governor of CBN also testified.
Justice Oshodi adjourned till Wednesday October 30, 2024 for continuation of his trial.
