The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC today unveiled how the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN under Godwin Emefiele transferred funds to companies operated by wife of the former governor.
The EFCC gave insights into the questionable transfers while leading a witness, Mrs. Ifeoma William Ogbonnaya at the resumption of trial of the former CBN governor for abusing his office to the tune of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
Ifeoma William was led in evidence by Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN for the Prosecution.
Ifeoma, PW5 who is a marketer and Assistant Manager with Zenith Bank identified several transfers running into billions from CBN into companies operated by wife of the suspended governor of CBN, adding that the inflows were for services rendered by the companies for CBN.
She identified the companies as Limelight, which manages CBN facility at Alakija, Lagos, Magbo Farms in Ogun State that runs pigery, poultry, Comech and and Answin.
She told the court presided over by Justice Ramon Oshodi that she usually receives transfer instructions from those working with Mrs. Margaret Emefiele, treat and await final standing order confirmation from Mrs. Emefiele before carrying out instructions to deal.
According to her the sum of N138, 18k, over N6 million came into account of Limelight before February 2015.
She pointed out that on 3 feb 2015, there were five credit inflow.
She said N5.9 million came into the account domiciled with the bank from from Monday Osazuwa.
She pointed out that the following amounts from CBN were credited into the account. They include N480,00035, N1,311,826.50, N7. 3,942, 635.56, N8. 5, 5300.00 and N13, 808,700.00.
On February 4th the following inflow came in from CBN N5,025,
N9, 738,400.00
On 6th Feb, the account recorded the following inflow from CBN N176,614.50 and N929,550.00. Thirteenth February N927,960.00 and N9,768,000.00.
Oyedepo told the court that similar transactions were recorded almost every month across the country. For instance similar transactions were recorded in March 13, 17 and 24, April 9, 13, 22 and 24, May 5, 20 and June 1, 4, 5, 12, 19, 23, 25, 29 in 2015.
Similar transactions were also recorded September 7th and 8th among others, Oyedepo said.
Ifeoma had earlier told the court that the inflows were for jobs the companies did for the CBN.
Earlier, Justice Oshodi granted request by counsel to the first Defendant, Olalekan Ojo SAN to recall one of the Prosecutor’s Witness, PWI who had testified he ran errands for Emefiele, sending money to clients for cross examination.
