How Emefiele Directed Me to Transfer Funds to a Relative’s Account – Former Secretary Testifies in Court

A former secretary in the office of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), John Ogah, has revealed how his former boss, Godwin Emefiele, directed him to transfer funds to a close relative.

While testifying yesterday in an Ikeja Special Offences Court, Ogah clarified that Emefiele and his spouse, Margaret, were not shareholders in three companies purportedly owned by them.

The witness provided this information during cross-examination as the trial of Emefiele and one Henry Omoile for alleged abuse of office and money laundering continued.

Ogah explained further on Wednesday that the transfers were made from three companies: Comec, Limelight, and Amswin Resources Limited.

However, during cross-examination by Emefiele’s attorney, Olakekan Ojo, SAN, the witness clarified that neither Emefiele nor his wife, Margaret, held shares in the three companies in question.

“The first defendant and his wife were not shareholders in the three companies linked to them,” he said.

Ogah provided the court with his interpretation of beneficial ownership of shares, emphasizing that it was consistently documented.

However, he admitted to the court that he did not present any documentation proving their status as shareholders in the three companies.

The witness indicated that he maintained records during his tenure as secretary to the former CBN governor, noting that these records were intended for reference purposes.

When questioned about whether he had shared the records with the EFCC while in custody, he stated that he had not shown any documents to the EFCC.

Additionally, the witness confirmed that there was no written correspondence between him and Emefiele, according to the information he provided to the EFCC.

He mentioned that approximately 99 percent of the instructions he received from Emefiele were not documented in writing.

During cross-examination by the second defence lead counsel, Kazeem Gbadamosi, SAN, the witness acknowledged that he is both a director and a shareholder of a construction company.

“The company has account with Zenith Bank but I am not a signatory to it. My name is not on the mandate form when the account was opened,” he said.