A dispatch rider, Monday Osazuwa, testified at a Lagos High Court in Ikeja that former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele instructed him not to keep records of the money he allegedly collected on Emefiele’s behalf.
Osazuwa, the first prosecution witness in Emefiele’s trial, resumed his testimony on Monday following approval from Justice Rahman Oshodi to recall him.
Emefiele faces charges of alleged abuse of office and money laundering, totalling $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
During Monday’s hearing, Osazuwa, cross-examined by Emefiele’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Olalekan Ojo, stated that Emefiele had occasionally advised him directly not to document any transactions involving money received or delivered.
The witness also confirmed that he held no receipts or documentation from Emefiele or his co-accused, Henry Omoile, acknowledging any such transfers. Osazuwa admitted that no third party witnessed the handover of money to Emefiele.
Earlier, the fifth prosecution witness, Mrs Ifeoma Ogbonnaya, a business relationship manager at Zenith Bank Plc, concluded her testimony, affirming communications with Mrs Margaret Emefiele regarding three companies’ accounts. Ogbonnaya confirmed that, based on Zenith Bank records, there was no direct link to Emefiele or the second defendant, Henry Omoile, in the transactions.
A sixth prosecution witness, John Ogah, a former Zenith Bank employee and Secretary to the Central Bank Governor, also testified.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the trial to Wednesday, 30 October, for further proceedings.