Ifeoma Ogbonnaya, an assistant manager with Zenith Bank, has
testified against Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN).
Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, are currently
facing trial on a 26-count charge at the Ikeja special offences court in Lagos.
The former CBN governor and Omoile pleaded not guilty to all
the charges.
At the resumption of hearing on Tuesday, Ogbonnaya was presented as the fifth witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The assistant manager told the court that the former CBN
governor used Zenith Bank to transfer funds to Margaret, his wife, through
various companies.
Ogbonnaya said she managed the various accounts of the
companies.
The assistant manager said she was receiving instructions
from Margaret regarding the accounts.
Ogbonnaya said she also received instructions from two other
people — John Ogah and Opeyemi Oludimu — who worked for Emefiele.
The assistant manager added that the accounts received cash
from the apex bank to the tune of N18.9 million and N1.8 million at different
times in March 2015.
“Mrs Margaret Emefiele, the ex-CBN governor’s wife, is the
direct beneficiary of the accounts,” Ogbonnaya said.
“The companies sent transfer instructions to my email and
Margaret is the beneficial owner of the accounts.
“All transactions
made in the accounts were confirmed by Mrs Emefiele before they were processed.
“She sends transfer instructions directly to my official
email address with Zenith Bank or sends two other persons to act on her behalf
but I still receive approval from her.”
Ogbonnaya said the companies that received the cash were
Amswing Resources and Solution, Limelight Dimensional Service Ltd, Omec Support
Service Ltd, and Mango Farm.
“Limelight manages the facilities of CBN, located at Alakija
and all transactions pertaining to power and fixing things that are not
working,” she said.
During the proceedings, the court admitted into evidence the
certificate of identification, bundle of printed documents, following “no
objections” from the defence.
Using the documents submitted, the witness explained the
inflow and outflow of funds sent from the CBN through Zenith Bank to Emefiele’s
wife.
Earlier, Rahman Oshodi, the presiding judge, granted the
request of Olalekan Ojo, Emefiele’s counsel, to recall Monday Osazuwa, the
first prosecution witness.
The case was adjourned to July 10 for continuation of trial.
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