The trial of the embattled former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele charged with abuse of office, alleged $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud continued on Thursday with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) tendering bundles of documents before the court.
The bundles of documents were tendered through the third prosecution witness, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, Mr Clement Ngolu, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
The documents were admitted into evidence following no objections from the first defence counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN) and the second defence counsel, Mr Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN)
Justice Rahman Oshodi admitted the original copies of Zenith Bank account opening package, statement of account of Limelight Multidimensional Services Ltd which were sent to EFCC into evidence.
“I have read the documents dated March 2024 and I admit the original certified copy of the bundles of documents which include account opening package,statement of accounts into evidence and are marked as exhibit A,” Oshodi said.
Ngolu, in his evidence in chief said his department responded to regulators and law enforcement agencies in order to ensure that the bank activities were in line with banks policies and regulations .
He added that his department worked with agencies like EFCC, Nigeria Police, ICPC and NSCDC.
The witness said that sometimes in 2014, his department got a request from EFCC to furnished them with statements of accounts of limelight and two other accounts and we duly furnished them with the request .
“The documents we sent to EFCC was duly signed by staff of the bank.
“The process of generating the statement was through our computer system which was in good condition as at the time.
“The documents were printed out from the company’s computer which was working well and the documents are in the bank’s custody,” the witness said.
The defence however said they had no question for the witness.
Also, a former Director of Information Technology CBN, Mr John Ayoh, in the continuation of his cross-examination, said he had a confrontation with Emefiele because he had asked him to do something wrong.
The witness who further confirmed that he was sidelined by the embattled governor on the reason that he was not popular with him, added that his being sidelined made him not to have any relationship with him.
According to him: “I was not happy being unpopular with the former CBN governor but on a number of occasions, I signed contract letters to vendors.
“While I was a director with the CBN, my loyalty was to the bank and the Nigerian nation and my relationship with Emefiele was only formal and based on instructions.
“The governor and the four deputy governors of the bank alongside the directors makes up the management of the CBN.”
The fourth witness, a contractor, in his evidence , also testified before the court he was allegedly pressurized by the management of CBN management to pay the sum $600,000 for the payment of the contract which he had executed.
Ayoh had on April 29 narrated before the court how Ayoh he how he collected $600,000 allegedly for contract gratification for the embattled ex-apex bank governor.
EFCC had on April 8 arraigned Emefiele on a 23-count charge bordering on abuse of office, accepting gratifications, corrupt demand, receiving property fraudulently obtained and conferring corrupt advantage, while his co-defendant was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on acceptance of gift by agents.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The judge adjourned the case until May 17 for the continuation of trial.
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