馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Witness in Emefiele trial admits no direct dealings with former CBN governor
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Richard Agulu, a former Zenith Bank employee and third prosecution witness in the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele, stated he had no direct dealings with Emefiele regarding the alleged unlawful acquisition of a 753-unit housing estate in Abuja. Agulu, currently with the Nigerian Communications Commission, admitted during cross-examination that while he testified to disbursing over N1.6bn linked to Emefiele, he did not receive funds directly from him or witness him handing over money. He explained that he received funds through Emefiele's personal assistant, Eric Ocheme, and that instructions attributed to Emefiele came via Ocheme. Agulu confirmed he did not have Emefiele's phone number and never spoke with him directly. The defense sought to tender Agulu's statement to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC to refresh his memory, which was admitted by the court after initial objections from the prosecution were withdrawn. Agulu had previously testified in January that he disbursed more than N1.6bn on Emefiele鈥檚 instructions through Ocheme, depositing cash into accounts belonging to Ifeabigo Integrated Services before transferring about N1.6bn to MG Properties Limited between 2020 and 2022. Emefiele faces an eight-count charge from the EFCC concerning the alleged unlawful acquisition of the housing estate and concealment of funds, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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