The dramatic trial of former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, took a new turn as Ms Ifeoma Ogbonna, Assistant Manager of Zenith Bank Plc, revealed shocking details of multimillion-naira transfers to Emefiele’s wife. The funds were moved to firms allegedly linked to CBN vendors, sparking controversy and legal scrutiny.
Ogbonna, a key witness in the case led by EFCC’s Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), disclosed that she managed the accounts where the questionable transactions took place. She emphasized that all transfers were approved by Emefiele’s wife, Mrs. Margaret Emefiele, who directly benefitted from the accounts.
Despite clarifying her lack of personal connection to Emefiele, Ogbonna detailed how transfer instructions were received from Mrs. Emefiele or representatives. The court was presented with documents revealing substantial cash flows from CBN to the accounts in question, implicating Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, in the alleged fraud.
As the trial unfolds, the credibility of witnesses and the authenticity of documents are under scrutiny. With the courtroom drama intensifying, the case poses a significant challenge to Emefiele’s reputation and raises questions about financial transparency at the highest levels of Nigerian banking.