Legal Updates

Dispatch Rider Testifies: Emefiele Instructed $3m Cash Collection, Co-Defendant Resides in His Home.

Amidst Emefiele’s bail grant and ongoing trial for financial misconduct, witness testimony sheds light on intricate details of the case.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 14, 2024

Stella Charles Akupue

How I Used My Motorcycle to Collect $3m for Emefiele – Dispatch Rider

In a courtroom revelation, dispatch rider Monday Osazuwa recounted before the Special Offences Court in Lagos how former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele directed him to collect a staggering $3 million in cash in instalments. Osazuwa, a dispatch rider at Zenith Bank before transitioning to the CBN, detailed his involvement with Emefiele during his tenure at both institutions.

While Osazuwa worked there, Emefiele, managing director at Zenith Bank, later saw him join the CBN as a contract staff in 2014. Osazuwa testified that Emefiele frequently instructed him to collect cash sums, often delivering them to Emefiele’s residence in Lagos. The witness described instances where Emefiele would delegate the task to his co-defendant, Henry Isioma Omoile, mainly when Emefiele was absent.

Additionally, Osazuwa shed light on Emefiele’s involvement with MINL Limited, a company based in Isolo, where he would collect cheques from Mr Monday on behalf of Emefiele. These cheques, Osazuwa stated, were then deposited into Dummies Oil and Gas, a company associated with Emefiele.

Witness Reveals Details in Court Amid Emefiele’s Bail Grant and Trial for Alleged Financial Misconduct

Osazuwa’s testimony came amidst Emefiele’s bail grant by Justice Raman Oshodi, who set bail at N50 million with stringent conditions, including two sureties who must be gainfully employed and have a track record of tax payment to the Lagos State Government. Emefiele’s co-defendant, Henry Isioma Omoil, also received bail, previously set at N1 million.

The trial, which commenced with the arraignment of Emefiele and his co-defendant on charges ranging from abuse of office to accepting gratifications, continued despite defence counsel’s attempts to adjourn. Justice Oshodi refused the request, underscoring the importance of expediency in the proceedings.

As the case unfolds, the court has scheduled the next hearing for April 29, 2024, with pending applications for a closed session to protect certain prosecution witnesses’ identities. Emefiele and his co-defendant maintain their innocence, pleading not guilty to the charges against them.

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