CBN Employee Testifies: How $3M Cash Was Collected for Emefiele.Â
A Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) employee, Mr. Monday Osazuwa, revealed to an Ikeja Special Offences Court how former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele directed him on various occasions to collect three million dollars in cash installments.
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Osazuwa, testifying under the guidance of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), disclosed his past employment as a dispatch rider at Zenith Bank in 2001 before joining CBN in 2014.
During his tenure at Zenith Bank, Emefiele, who later became the Managing Director, was his superior. Subsequently, Osazuwa transitioned to CBN in 2014, assuming the role of a senior supervisor.
He recounted receiving instructions from Emefiele, primarily through WhatsApp and email, to collect cash sums from various individuals on his behalf. Osazuwa detailed an incident in 2020 when Emefiele tasked him to retrieve an envelope containing money from a designated person’s office, instructing him to deliver it directly to him.
Additionally, Osazuwa mentioned being directed to collect cheques from MINL Ltd. during his tenure at Zenith Bank. These cheques, handed over to Emefiele, were subsequently deposited into Dumies Oil and Gas accounts.
Osazuwa admitted to not maintaining a record of transactions as per Emefiele’s instructions to deliver the money directly to his residence. The highest amount he recalled collecting was one million dollars, with subsequent transactions amounting to $850,000, $750,000, and $400,000 in cash installments.
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Under cross-examination, Osazuwa confirmed his long-standing association with Emefiele since 2002 and acknowledged receiving instructions through Emefiele’s co-defendant.
He clarified his involvement in collecting cheques for Dumies Oil and Gas began during his tenure at Zenith Bank.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Emefiele on April 8 on 23 counts related to abuse of office, accepting gratifications, and other corrupt practices.
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Emefiele’s co-defendant faced three counts of accepting gifts as an agent. Both defendants pleaded not guilty.
The trial is scheduled to resume on April 29, with further proceedings pending.
