A PROSECUTION witness in the alleged N7.8 billion fraud trial of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court that he deposited billions of naira in cash on behalf of the former apex bank chief.
News Point Nigeria reports that the witness, Richard Agulu, testified as the third prosecution witness (PW3) before Justice Yusuf Halilu on Tuesday, alleging that the cash was delivered to him by Eric Ocheme, whom he identified as Emefiele’s personal assistant.
Agulu, a former employee of Zenith Bank, made the allegation during cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Matthew Burkaa.
According to the witness, the cash was either deposited into the accounts of Ifeabigo Integrated Services and Kelvito Integrated Services or kept in the bank’s vault, based on instructions allegedly conveyed by Emefiele through his personal assistant.
He told the court that throughout his time at the bank, he acted on Emefiele’s directives, receiving cash from Ocheme and disbursing or handling the funds as instructed.
Agulu, who said he spent 17 years in the banking sector, further testified that withdrawals from the accounts of Ifeabigo Integrated Services and Kelvito Integrated Services were authorised by the signatories to the accounts.
He also stated that he received verbal approval from his superiors to handle the transactions.
“For every transaction, I followed normal banking transaction procedures. I followed the steps for cash deposition but there are different scenarios for different transactions,” the witness told the court.
He explained that certain customers enjoyed waivers that allowed them to bring cash into the bank under special arrangements.
“There are waivers for some certain customers who can bring cash into the bank. I was not given a written approval but I was given a waiver to attend to the transaction of the defendant which was verbal from my superiors.
“I cannot mention names. I don’t want to put somebody in trouble,” Agulu added.
The prosecution witness also testified that he supervised the transfer of N1.6 billion to MG Properties Limited.
Following the proceedings, Justice Yusuf Halilu adjourned the matter until November 3, 4 and 5 for the continuation of the trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Emefiele on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, forgery and unlawful possession of properties suspected to be proceeds of crime.
The former CBN governor has pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against him.
Although Eric Ocheme was mentioned in the charge filed by the EFCC, he is said to be at large.