EFCC Witness Tells Court He Deposited Billions in Cash for Emefiele Through Ex-CBN Governor’s Aide
EFCC Witness Tells Court He Deposited Billions in Cash for Emefiele Through Ex-CBN Governor’s Aide
EFCC Witness Tells Court He Deposited Billions in Cash for Emefiele Through Ex-CBN Governor’s Aide
The third prosecution witness in the trial of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, on Tuesday told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that he handled billions of naira in cash transactions on the former CBN governor’s instructions.
The witness, Richard Agulu, a former staff member of Zenith Bank, testified before Justice Yusuf Halilu during cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Matthew Burkaa (SAN).
Agulu told the court that cash brought by Emefiele’s personal assistant, Eric Ocheme, was either deposited into the accounts of Ifeabigo Integrated Services and Kelvito Integrated Services or kept in Zenith Bank’s vault, based on instructions allegedly given by the former CBN governor.
According to the witness, Emefiele communicated the instructions through phone calls made using Ocheme’s telephone.
Agulu, who said he spent 17 years in the banking sector, stated that he was directed to receive the cash from Ocheme and disburse or deposit the funds as instructed.
He further told the court that withdrawals from the accounts of Ifeabigo Integrated Services and Kelvito Integrated Services were authorised by the legitimate account owners and signatories.
The witness maintained that all transactions followed standard banking procedures, adding that he received verbal approval from his superiors to handle Emefiele’s banking transactions.
“For every transaction, I followed normal banking procedures. There are waivers for certain customers who bring cash into the bank. I was not given written approval but I received verbal authorisation from my superiors to attend to the defendant’s transactions. I cannot mention their names because I do not want to put anyone in trouble,” he told the court.
Agulu also testified that he supervised the transfer of N1.6 billion to MG Properties Limited on Emefiele’s instruction, which was conveyed through his personal assistant.
Following the proceedings, Justice Halilu adjourned the case until November 3, 4 and 5, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Emefiele is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) 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 valued at ₦7.83 billion.
EFCC Witness Tells Court He Deposited Billions in Cash for Emefiele Through Ex-CBN Governor’s Aide
