A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that he handled cash deposits running into billions of naira on Emefiele’s behalf while working at Zenith Bank.
The witness, Richard Agulu, who appeared as the third prosecution witness, testified that the funds were usually delivered by Emefiele’s personal assistant, Eric Ocheme. He explained that the money 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.
During cross-examination by the defence, Agulu stated that he received directives through Ocheme and carried out transactions as instructed. He added that he served in the banking industry for 17 years and maintained that all the transactions were processed in line with banking procedures.
According to him, withdrawals from the accounts of Ifeabigo Integrated Services and Kelvito Integrated Services were approved by the legitimate account holders and signatories. He also said he had verbal approval from his superiors to handle the defendant’s banking transactions, although no written authorization was issued.
The witness further testified that he supervised the transfer of ₦1.6 billion to MG Properties Limited following instructions allegedly conveyed through Emefiele’s personal assistant.
Following the proceedings, Justice Yusuf Halilu adjourned the case until November 3, 4 and 5, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
Godwin Emefiele is facing an eight-count charge involving alleged criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, forgery, and unlawful possession of assets suspected to be proceeds of crime amounting to about ₦7.83 billion.
