Monday Osazuwa, a dispatch rider, testified in the Special Offences Court in Lagos about his experiences with the former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, regarding the collection of $3 million in cash on different occasions.
Led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Osazuwa recounted his employment history, stating that he had been a dispatch rider at Zenith Bank since 2001 before joining the CBN as a contract staff member in 2014. He noted that Emefiele was the Managing Director of Zenith Bank during his tenure there and later became his boss at the CBN.
Osazuwa testified before Justice Raman Oshodi, detailing how he received instructions from Emefiele, both in person and via WhatsApp and email, to collect envelopes containing money from various individuals. He mentioned that Emefiele usually collected the money personally when he was in Lagos but instructed him to hand it over to Henry Omoile, the co-defendant, in his absence.
Additionally, Osazuwa disclosed that Emefiele sent him to MINL Limited, located in Isolo, to collect cheques, which he would then return to Emefiele for deposit into the account of Dummies Oil and Gas.
Regarding his interaction with Emefiele’s co-defendant, Osazuwa stated that Omoile resided in Emefiele’s residence and that he would deliver the money to him when Emefiele was not present.
Osazuwa admitted to collecting various sums of cash, the highest being $1 million, and delivering them to Emefiele’s residence without keeping records as per Emefiele’s instructions.
Under cross-examination by the defense counsel, Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal, Osazuwa confirmed his long-standing employment with Emefiele since 2002.
Prior to Osazuwa’s testimony, Justice Oshodi granted Emefiele bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum. The sureties are required to be gainfully employed, have a three-year tax payment history with the Lagos State Government, and be registered in the Lagos State Bail Management System. Emefiele is facing charges of alleged abuse of office and fraud totaling $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
