A former Zenith Bank staff member testifying in the trial of ex-Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele stated he never received money directly from Emefiele but acted on instructions conveyed through the governor’s personal assistant.
Richard Agulu, now with the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), was the third prosecution witness in the case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC has filed an eight-count charge against Emefiele concerning a disputed 150,462.86 square metre housing estate at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma, Abuja.
During cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Matthew Burkaa, Agulu confirmed, “I never received a dime directly from the defendant. I received the funds through his personal assistant, Eric Ocheme.” He testified that he never saw Emefiele give money to Ocheme and did not possess Emefiele’s phone number, stating instructions were passed via phone calls to Ocheme. Agulu could not recall the exact number of transactions when questioned.
A key dispute arose over Agulu’s extrajudicial statement to the EFCC. When Burkaa attempted to tender the statement to refresh the witness’s memory about phone instructions, prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, the Director of Public Prosecutions, objected. Oyedepo argued a witness must first demonstrate a contradiction before such a document is used and that the application to refresh memory should originate from the witness. After brief arguments, the prosecution withdrew its objection. The judge admitted the statement as Exhibit G.
Agulu elaborated that the transactions involved accounts owned by Chukwuma Okpala of Kelvito Integrated Services and Peter Adebayo of Ifeadigo Integrated Services. He stated Emefiele gave instructions through Ocheme, which were executed via banking instruments like cheques, not formal letters or emails. He admitted depositing cash and writing the names of Okpala and Adebayo on deposit slips because neither Emefiele nor Ocheme were the account holders, a practice he acknowledged contravened Zenith Bank’s guidelines requiring instructions from the account holder. Agulu also disclosed a personal friendship with Adebayo.
Further legal arguments occurred over documents. Burkaa attempted to introduce a Corporate Affairs Commission report on Rites Impex Project Limited, but Oyedepo objected on grounds it was not a certified true copy and did not relate to payments. Burkaa withdrew that document but noted related Remita evidence would follow. He also tendered summaries of Zenith Bank’s operational policies. The prosecution objected, citing lack of service and Agulu’s former employment status. The judge admitted both sets of documents but directed parties to address their relevance in final written addresses.
The cross-examination was adjourned until April 22. The proceedings highlight evidentiary procedures and the witness’s account of indirect financial dealings tied to the former central bank chief, amidst the ongoing fraud trial.
