Ikeja Court Hears Case On How Emefiele Moved Millions To Wife

An Ikeja Special Offences Court yesterday heard how former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele transferred millions of naira to his wife, Magaret.

An assistant bank manager, Mrs Ifeoma Ogbonnaya, told Justice Rahman Oshodi that millions of naira was also moved in several tranches into several companies’ accounts.

Emefiele is standing trial over abuse of office and alleged $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud before the court while in office.

The former apex bank boss is facing trial before three courts in Lagos and Abuja.

His co-defendant is Henry Omoile.

In a separate corruption case, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) adjourned for ruling on his application for permission to travel.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opposed it because it believed Emefiele would disappear if he laid hands on his International Passport.

In Lagos, prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), led Mrs Ogbonnaya in evidence.

The witness, a former business relationship manager, said she managed the various accounts through which huge funds from CBN were sent.

The witness said: “The accounts are for Mrs Margaret Emefiele, the ex-CBN governor’s wife.

“The companies sent transfer instructions to my email and Margaret Emefiele is the beneficiary and owner of the money.”

She read out the various sums moved from CBN into the accounts from 2015.

Ogbonnaya listed the companies as Amswinh Resources and Solution, Limelight Dimensional Service Limited, Omec Support Service Limited and Mango Farm.

“All transactions made in the accounts were confirmed by Mrs Emefiele before they were processed and moved.

“She sends transfer instructions directly to my official email address or sends two other persons to act on her behalf but I still receive approval from her,” Ogbonnya said.

The witness said she received instructions from Emefiele’s wife through email, phone calls and WhatsApp.

Details of the transactions were admitted in evidence.

The trial continues today.

EFCC to court: don’t permit Emefiele to travel

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) fixed a ruling for July 16 on Emefiele’s application to travel abroad on medical grounds.

He is on trial before the court on a 20-count amended charge bordering on the conferring of corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of $ 6.23 million.

Emefiele’s lawyer, Labi-Lawal, had requested the release of his client’s passport to facilitate a trip to the United Kingdom for medical care.

But, EFCC’s lawyer, Muhammad Omeiza, argued that no medical report was tendered by the defendant to back his claim.

The lawyer added that even if there was an ailment, there was no evidence suggesting it could not be treated in Nigeria.

Omeiza also noted that Emefiele’s passport was deposited with the court as a bail condition, and releasing it would effectively alter these conditions.

He described Emefiele as a flight risk, claiming that the ex-CBN governor has co-conspirators abroad.

He cited two aides, Anita and Tony, currently in the UK, suggesting that Emefiele might be tempted to flee as he faces trials in three different courts.