A business relationship manager with Zenith Bank PLC, Ifeoma Ogbonnaya, testified before a Lagos High Court in Ikeja regarding the movement of funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through Zenith Bank to accounts linked to Mrs. Margaret Emefiele, the wife of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele.
Ogbonnaya, the fifth prosecution witness, provided evidence in the trial of Godwin Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, who face charges of alleged abuse of office involving $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
Led by EFCC Prosecutor (SAN) Rotimi Oyedepo, Ogbonnaya testified that she never directly dealt with the former CBN governor but confirmed that several transfers totaling billions of naira from the apex bank were made to private companies linked to Mrs. Emefiele for services rendered to the CBN.
She listed the companies as Limelight Multidimensional Services Ltd, Comec Support Services Ltd, Andswin Resources Solution Ltd, and Magofarm, noting that “Mrs. Margaret Emefiele, the ex-CBN governor’s wife, is the direct beneficiary of the accounts.”
Ogbonnaya explained that the companies sent transfer instructions to her email, and all transactions were confirmed by Mrs. Emefiele before processing. “Whenever she sends transfer instructions directly to my official email address with Zenith Bank or through two other persons that work with them, I usually confirm from her,” Ogbonnaya stated.
Detailing the operations of the companies, Ogbonnaya mentioned that Limelight managed CBN facilities in Lagos, Andswin provided diesel to vendors, Magofarms dealt with piggery and poultry, and Comec managed CBN guest house facilities in Ikoyi.
She also disclosed specific transactions, including a cash flow of N42,988,758.75 on February 22, 2021, N37,279,964.70 on July 21, 2022, N44,641,077.60 on October 21, 2022, and N93,100,000 on May 10, 2023, among others.
The court admitted into evidence the certificate of identification and the bundle of printed documents containing the various transactions purportedly carried out under Mrs. Emefiele’s instructions.
Justice Rahman Oshodi granted the defense’s request to recall the first prosecution witness, Monday Osazuwa, for further cross-examination and adjourned the trial until July 10 for continuation.
