In a surprising revelation at the Special Offenses Court in Lagos on Friday, dispatch rider Monday Osazuwa disclosed how the former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele, instructed him multiple times to collect $3 million in cash in installments.
Osazuwa, who had been employed as a dispatch rider for Zenith Bank since 2001 before joining the CBN as a contract worker in 2014, stunned the court with his testimony. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the attorney representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, guided Osazuwa through his main evidence presentation.
Appearing before Justice Raman Oshodi, the witness claimed that after his tenure at the CBN Governor’s office in Lagos, he was subsequently employed as a full-time senior supervisor tasked with document recording and filing duties.
He stated his intention to deliver the accumulated funds for Emefiele to his residence at Iru Close in Ikoyi, Lagos.
“I have handled cash amounts of up to $1 million at the highest level. Additionally, I received calls from the businessman weeks later, and I was given $850,000, $750,000, and $400,000 in cash, distributed over several transactions.
“I have never accepted money, gifts, or rewards,” the witness asserted. “I acted out of loyalty, and although he knew it, he never instructed me to take anything.”
It’s worth recalling that Emefiele was charged by the EFCC with 23 counts related to potential abuse of power on Monday, April 8.
He is going to be tried for alleged fraud and abuse of power between N2.8 billion and $4.5 billion.
Additionally, N50 million in bail was awarded to Emefiele by Justice Oshodi.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu removed Emefiele from office in June of last year.
