A Lagos court has heard claims that Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), directed his former dispatch rider not to preserve formal records of more than $3 million collected on his behalf.
The first prosecution witness, Monday Osasuwa, revealed this during his evidence on Monday before the Ikeja Special Offences Court.
Under questioning from Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), Osasuwa testified that as a former dispatch rider and then a senior supervisor at the CBN, he was tasked with collecting cash in tranches totaling $3 million on many occasions. He alleged that Emefiele directed him not to document these transactions.
“He advised me not to write anything down for all the money I was bringing to him,” Osasuwa told the court, adding, “I did not produce any document because my boss told me not to produce any records. I will only obey my boss.”
When Ojo questioned him further about his responsibilities, Osasuwa stated that, while he did not have a direct supervisor, he received orders from Emefiele’s secretary at the CBN. Despite his formal function, he stated that he was expected to conduct personal errands for Emefiele, such as handling significant sums of cash.
Osasuwa further indicated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may prosecute him with money laundering as a result of his involvement in the transportation of the funds. “I have been carrying some dollars for him, so the EFCC tagged it money laundering. It was based on the messages my boss sent me,” he said.
The witness further stated that on instances when Emefiele was unavailable, he was instructed to give over the cash to the second defendant in the case.
Justice Rahman Oshodi had approved Ojo’s request to recall Osasuwa for more interrogation, which led to Monday’s disclosures. The trial continues as the court investigates the charges surrounding Emefiele’s tenure at Nigeria’s central bank.
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