An Assistant Manager with Zenith Bank Plc, Mrs. Ifeoma Ogbonnaya, has testified that Godwin Emefiele, the embattled Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, and his wife Margaret, were not signatories to the accounts alleged to be owned by them. This revelation came during the cross-examination by Emefiele’s Counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN).
Ogbonnaya disclosed that the signatories to the company’s accounts were Mrs. Bruce Olotu Augustina, Omoile Augustina Oriekose Augustina, and Ibrahim Oluwadamilare Taofeek. She also noted that the companies had no list of directors, and the primary signatory to the accounts was Mrs. Augustina. However, she mentioned that transactions would not be processed without Mrs. Emefiele’s approval, which she received through phone calls, WhatsApp chats, and official emails.
Ogbonnaya stated, “One Mrs. Augustina is the signatory to the accounts but I still maintain that Mrs. Margaret Emefiele gave me instructions through phone calls, WhatsApp chats and my official email. I saved Mrs. Emefiele’s number as ‘Margo’ on my phone and she has several numbers but I can only remember her foreign number which is +447941835451.”
She further explained that although instructions to banks are typically in writing, she had reviewed the account opening documents and found no indication that the Emefieles were shareholders or signatories to the corporate accounts. Ogbonnaya confirmed that there was no document showing Mrs. Emefiele as a direct beneficial owner of the corporate accounts and that regulatory requirements for collecting information on beneficial owners were followed.
Ogbonnaya also clarified that she was not involved in the initial account opening but continued managing the relationship based on the previous officer’s practices. She asserted that Zenith Bank followed guidelines regarding the deposit and withdrawal of funds and confirmed there was no direct relationship between Emefiele and the companies.
Emefiele faces charges of abuse of office, acceptance of gratifications, corrupt demand, receiving property fraudulently obtained, and conferring corrupt advantage. His co-defendant, Henry Omoile-Isioma, faces three counts of accepting gifts by agents. Both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned the case until October 28 for the continuation of the trial.
