The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has been released after meeting the bail conditions set by the Court.
Emefiele, who was brought to the Lagos High Court in Ikeja by EFCC operatives, went home after the court session.
Justice Rahman Oshodi granted him bail of N50 million with two sureties.
The trial began immediately after bail was granted, with the EFCC calling its first witness, a CBN staff member named Monday Osazuwa.
Osazuwa testified that Emefiele had instructed him to collect $3 million in cash on multiple occasions.
During the trial, the witness, who was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Rotimi Oyedepo, explained to the court his experience working as a dispatch rider at Zenith Bank. He then went on to talk about his time working at the apex bank and the various tasks he carried out for the former CBN governor.
He said, “I joined the CBN in 2014 as a contract staff and became staff in 2015. I knew the first defendant when he was a Deputy Director of Zenith Bank, and he later became Director. I worked with him since then.
“I was still working in the governor’s office while I was appointed as a full staff, and we usually communicate through WhatsApp and Emails. I performed as a senior supervisor, recording and filing with other official roles.”
He also stated that in 2020, the first defendant asked him to run an errand.
“When he called me, he directed that I should call a businessman who gave me $1 million dollars on his behalf. Some weeks later, the first defendant also called me that I should meet the man and he gave me $850,000, $750,000 and $400,000 cash in tranches.”
Osazuwa confirmed that he was familiar with Dumies Oil and Gas Limited during his time at Zenith Bank PlC. He mentioned that the former CBN governor, who was also the MD of the company, would send him to collect checks from Mr. Monday.
The witness shared that he would deposit the money into Dumies’ account as directed by Emefiele.
When asked about the second defendant’s location, he revealed that Henry Isioma Omoile resided in the former CBN governor’s home.
His words, “Whenever I receive the money and take it to the residence of Mr Emefiele. He always tells me to give it to the second defendant whenever he was not at home.
“I did not keep record of transactions because the instruction he gave me was that, I should collect the money and bring the money to his house. The highest amount I collected is $1 million all in cash.
“He has never for one day said take this. I have never been rewarded, paid or given anything because I am doing it out of faithfulness and he knows I am faithful to him.”
During the trial, the defendant’s lawyer, Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal, questioned the witness.
The witness stated that he had been working with the defendant since 2002, but he was unsure of the exact length of time he had known the second defendant.
Osazuwa mentioned that he was certain Omoile had been residing in Emefiele’s house for a few months.
He confirmed that Emefiele communicated with him through the second defendant and that he had been receiving checks for Dumies Oil and Gas.
“I started collect collecting cheques for Dummies Oil and Gas when I was in Zenith Bank. I cannot calculate the exact year I have been collecting the cheques but it all started when the first defendant was the MD at Zenith Bank and I was working at Zenith Bank Plc.”
During the investigation, the witness informed the court that the second defendant denied receiving instructions when confronted.
Justice Oshodi denied the defence counsel’s request for an adjournment before the witness testified, ruling it was unjustified.
The trial will continue on April 29, with some applications to have a closed session for certain prosecution witnesses to be heard.
