Court proceedings were marked by a surprising revelation as dispatch rider, Monday Osazuwa, detailed how the former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, instructed him to collect $3 million in cash on various occasions.
Giving his testimony as led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Osazuwa shared his experience of starting as a dispatch rider at Zenith Bank in 2001 before transitioning to a contract staff role at the CBN in 2014.
Rising to a full-time senior supervisor position responsible for documentation and filing in the CBN Governor’s office in Lagos, Osazuwa recounted the routine of collecting cash for Emefiele and delivering it to his Ikoyi residence at Iru Close.
“The largest sum I handled was $1 million, all in cash. Additionally, on separate occasions, I received $850,000, $750,000, and $400,000 in cash, all at the instruction of the businessman,” Osazuwa revealed.
Expressing his motivations, he emphasized, “I undertook these tasks out of loyalty, never seeking nor receiving any reward from him. It was all done in good faith.”
Charged with 23 counts related to abuse of office, Emefiele was arraigned by the EFCC on April 8, facing allegations of fraud totaling $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
Justice Oshodi granted bail to Emefiele in the sum of N50 million amidst the ongoing legal proceedings.
Last year in June, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended Emefiele from his position.