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How Former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele Disbursed Over ₦1.6bn In Cash – Witness
The trial of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, continued on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with detailed testimonies from the third and second prosecution witnesses, shedding light on alleged complex cash movements and bank transactions running into billions of naira.
Emefiele is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on an eight-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, forgery and unlawful possession of properties suspected to be proceeds of crime to the tune of ₦7,831,002,396.
Led in evidence by Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the witness, Prosecution Witness 3, PW3, Richard Agulu, a staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, told the court that he joined the Commission in 2023 after working with Zenith Bank from July 2007 to March 2023. He said he served in the Maitama branch of the bank and some others.
Agulu recalled that while he was at Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia was the Managing Director before Godwin Emefiele took over the position. According to him, Emefiele regularly visited the Abuja branches and left Zenith Bank in 2014 when he was appointed Governor of the CBN.
The witness also told the court that he knew one Eric Ocheme, who was a staff of Zenith Bank before moving to the Central Bank of Nigeria to work as Emefiele’s personal assistant.
Explaining the nature of his dealings with the defendant, PW3 said that while at Zenith Bank, staff salaries and entitlements were paid through accounts domiciled with the bank. He added that, in the course of his duties, transactions occurred involving Emefiele and Eric.
“My Lord, Mr. Eric, as the personal assistant to the defendant, used to run errands for him. On the defendant’s instruction, I used to receive cash from Eric and disburse same when needed,” he testified.
According to PW3, the cash he received was either warehoused in the bank’s vault or deposited into certain accounts. When asked on whose behalf he received the funds, he stated clearly that he received the cash on behalf of the defendant, Godwin Emefiele.
Although he acknowledged that Emefiele had an account with Zenith Bank, PW3 said the funds were not paid into the defendant’s personal account but were kept and disbursed strictly based on instructions conveyed through Eric.
PW3 was shown Exhibits B, C and D and identified Exhibit B as the account of Ifeabigo Integrated Services. He told the court that the account belonged to a friend of his, Mr. Peters Adebayo, a businessman involved in construction, agency and merchandising, who resides in Abuja.
The witness said that between 2020 and 2022, he lodged several sums into the Ifeabigo Integrated Services account using funds he received from Eric on behalf of the defendant. He then proceeded to analyse the transactions in chronological order.
According to him, on February 3, 2021, two transfers of ₦20 million and ₦30 million, totaling ₦50 million, were paid into the account. This was followed by a ₦25 million transfer on February 24, 2021.
On March 4, 2021, PW3 said he personally deposited ₦19 million and ₦12.5 million in cash. On March 9, 2021, further deposits of ₦14 million and ₦9 million were made. On March 31, 2021, ₦50 million was received by transfer, while an additional ₦30 million was deposited in cash on the same day.
He told the court that on April 15, 2021, ₦24 million was deposited in cash, while on April 21, 2021, two transfers of ₦99 million each were credited into the account. On May 10, 2021, ₦19 million and ₦13 million were deposited, and on June 17, 2021, a transfer of ₦72 million was received.
The witness testified that on June 28, 2021, multiple deposits totaling ₦60 million were made, followed by a cash deposit of ₦50 million on July 1, 2021. On July 12, 2021, two cash deposits of ₦100 million and ₦70 million were lodged, while a transfer of ₦99 million followed on July 14, 2021.
According to the witness, on August 18, 2021, he deposited ₦40 million and ₦45 million in cash. On August 25, 2021, eight deposits were made into the account, comprising six deposits of ₦50 million each, as well as ₦25 million and ₦5 million.
PW3 told the court that on the same August 25, 2021, acting on instructions from the defendant through Eric, he transferred ₦600 million and ₦300 million from the Ifeabigo Integrated Services account to MG Properties Limited.
He further identified Exhibit C as the account of Kelvito Integrated Services and said that ₦700 million was transferred from that account to MG Properties Limited on the same day.
In his words, “I transferred a total sum of ₦1.6 billion to MG Properties Limited on the defendant’s instruction through Mr. Eric.”
He added that additional transfers of ₦90 million, ₦85 million and ₦50 million were received into the account on August 25, 2021, while on August 30, 2021, three deposits of ₦50 million, ₦60 million and ₦50 million were made.
PW3 further testified that on September 2, 2021, four transfers of ₦92 million, ₦91 million, ₦93 million and ₦24 million were received into the account from Ace Frozen Foods Ventures. On the same day, he said there were structured cash withdrawals involving 22 withdrawals of ₦10 million each and one withdrawal of ₦5 million.
“Mr. Eric came to pick the cash, and I made the withdrawals for him,” he said.
According to PW3, deposits and transfers continued through October, November and December 2021 and into January 2022, involving repeated cash lodgments and account-to-account transfers, all of which he said he carried out on behalf of the defendant through Eric.
He explained that during some of the deposits, he instructed bank staff to use the narration “CD/Peter Adebayo,” being the name of the account signatory, to reflect the lodgments.
PW3 also told the court that similar cash transactions occurred in Exhibit C, the Kelvito Integrated Services account, including multiple cash deposits on August 25, 2021, and the ₦700 million transfer to MG Properties Limited.
Asked what the ₦1.6 billion transferred to MG Properties was meant for, the witness said he did not know the purpose of the payment at the time.
He further disclosed that he was invited and questioned by the EFCC over the transactions.
“I was confronted with these transfers by the EFCC, and I confirmed that I was instructed to make the transfers to MG Properties by Eric on behalf of the defendant. I do not know the purpose of the transfers,” he said.
Under cross-examination, PW3 confirmed that he worked in the banking sector for 17 years and agreed that only account holders or authorised signatories could lawfully approve withdrawals. He added that, in the transactions he described, the owners and signatories to the accounts authenticated the withdrawals.
Earlier in the proceedings, the prosecution also called Olomotam Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank, as Prosecution Witness 2 (PW2).
Egoro told the court that he joined Access Bank in May 2020 and that his duties include handling regulatory enquiries and liaising with law enforcement agencies. He testified that sometime in June 2025, Access Bank received a request letter from the EFCC concerning the account of Ace Frozen Foods Ventures.
According to him, the EFCC requested the customer’s account details, mandate, statement of account from inception to May 2025 and a certificate of identification. He said his team processed the request by retrieving the account information from the bank’s system and responded formally to the EFCC.
PW2 identified the bank’s response dated May 29, 2025, which was tendered and admitted in evidence as Exhibit E. Under cross-examination, he confirmed that the name of the defendant did not appear anywhere in the documents.
He further told the court that the mandate holders of the Ace Frozen Foods Ventures account were Kamaru Lasisi and Raphael Ibhafidon Uguomore, adding that the documents did not disclose the individual owners of the company.
Justice Halilu thereafter adjourned the matter to February 16, 2026, for continuation of trial and further cross-examination.
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Oceangate Engineering To Appeal Federal High Court Ruling over Forfeiture of Assets
Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Limited has said it will appeal to the recent ruling of the Federal High Court ordering the forfeiture of certain assets.
Barr. Nnenna Onyeaso, the Company Secretary said in a statement on Thursday insisting that neither the company nor its leadership was found guilty of any wrongdoing.
Onyeaso said that the firm has described the court’s decision as a civil asset forfeiture order based on suspicion rather than proof, stressing that the judgment did not establish any criminal liability against the organisation.

According to her, the company maintain that it has already directed its legal team to file an appeal, expressing confidence in the judicial process and the outcome of a thorough review of the case.
“To be clear, this ruling is a civil asset forfeiture order with no finding of wrongdoing against Oceangate or its leadership.
“The court’s decision rested on a legal standard of suspicion, not proof, and it is one we intend to pursue fully through the appeals process,” she said in a statement.
The firm secretary also said that Oceangate has reiterated its belief in the rule of law, noting that the appellate system exists to address such outcomes.
She added that the company remained confident that the facts of the case will ultimately affirm its integrity and business practices.
Onyeaso said that the firm also emphasised that its operations remained unaffected, stating that it continues to provide employment for many Nigerians while contributing to the country’s energy sector and broader economy.
“We have always believed in the ability of the judicial process, and that belief has not wavered,” she added.
She noted that Oceangate further expressed appreciation to its employees, partners, and clients for their continued support amid the development, assuring stakeholders of its commitment to transparency and accountability.
The Secretary said that the company reaffirmed its confidence in Nigeria as a viable destination for investment, describing the country as a land of equity, growth, and opportunity.
“We remain committed to the continued growth of our business and the communities we serve as we are optimistic that justice will prevail at the end of the legal process.
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Anti-Party Activities: Rivers APC Takes Disciplinary Action Against Fubara
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended a prominent member, Fubara Dagogo, following his legal attempts to halt the party’s national convention.
The decision was taken by the Ward 4 Executive Committee after allegations of anti-party activities and gross misconduct were levelled against the party chieftain.
The crisis arose after Dagogo took legal action against the APC over its upcoming national convention.
He approached a Federal High Court in Abuja, requesting an order to halt the party’s planned event.
In his suit, Dagogo alleged that he was unjustly prevented from contesting for the position of National Vice-Chairman (South-South).
Although Dagogo reportedly paid N5.1 million for the nomination form, he claimed the party refused to provide the required documents to formalize his candidacy.
He subsequently petitioned the court to suspend the South-South zonal congress and recognize his eligibility for the position.
Additionally, he sought the nullification of any election conducted without his participation and demanded N100 million in damages for what he described as marginalization.
However, the leadership of his ward in Bonny viewed this legal move as a direct violation of the party’s internal discipline.
The Ward Chairman, Richard Ibani, announced the suspension, stating that the resolution was passed during a committee meeting held on March 16.
The document confirming his removal was signed by the Ward Secretary, Donald Jumbo, and 21 other executive members.
The ward leaders maintained that Dagogo’s actions were an embarrassment to the party and a breach of the APC Constitution 2022 as amended. Specifically, they cited Article 21.2 (I), (II), and (VII), which deal with party discipline and the conduct of members.
In a strongly worded statement, the committee noted that they had previously cautioned members against acts that could ridicule the party.
They stated: “The ward exco has always advised its members to desist from actions capable of ridiculing our party, but your recent actions have shown that you are not willing to respect and abide by the constitution and actions of our great party.”
The suspension is indefinite and took effect immediately.
The ward leadership has also called on the state secretariat to uphold the resolution and apply further necessary actions.
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Sterling Bank Charts Way Forward For Nigeria’s Transport, Logistics Sector
Industry leaders, policymakers, financiers, and innovators convened in Lagos today for the inaugural Nigeria Transport & Logistics Summit (NTLS) 2026, hosted by Sterling Bank at Eko Hotel & Suites, to forge actionable strategies for building a faster, more connected Nigeria through transport, mobility, and logistics.
Held under the theme “Funding the Engine of Growth,” the summit positioned Nigeria’s transport and logistics sector as a critical but under-leveraged driver of productivity, regional integration, and economic growth. Transport, mobility, and logistics collectively form the backbone of the Nigerian economy, yet chronic underinvestment, infrastructure deficits, and limited access to financing have long constrained its potential.
Transport, mobility, and logistics collectively form the backbone of Nigeria’s economy. While the logistics sub-sector alone contributes approximately ₦1 trillion to national GDP, experts estimate that the broader transport and logistics market exceeds ₦15 trillion in potential value. Yet persistent infrastructure gaps, inefficiencies, financing constraints, and policy fragmentation continue to limit the sector’s full impact.
NTLS 2026 brought together senior government officials, regulators, infrastructure operators, investors, development partners, and private sector leaders to address critical priorities including multimodal connectivity, airport and road modernization, energy-efficient mobility, digital trade facilitation, and innovative financing frameworks.
Speaking at the summit, Sterling Bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, represented by Sterling One Foundation CEO, Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe, called for urgent, coordinated action to fix the systems that move Nigeria’s economy forward.

L-R Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation; Darlington Nwankwo, Divisional Head, Renewable Energy, Mobility and Tourism, Sterling Bank; Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Honorable Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State: and Moyomade Akinyosoye, Divisional Head, Institutional Banking, Sterling Bank, at the recently concluded Nigeria Transport and Logistics Summit, hosted by Sterling Bank in Lagos recently.
He emphasized that while Nigeria’s transport and logistics challenges, ranging from port congestion to inefficient corridors and high operating costs, are well documented the real opportunity lies in effective execution.
“We must move beyond diagnosing the problem to building integrated, modern logistics systems that can power productivity at scale. This means fixing our ports, strengthening logistics corridors, improving road and rail connectivity, and embedding efficiency across the value chain.”
“Nigeria’s competitiveness, both regionally and globally will increasingly depend on how effectively we move goods, people, and services. The time for incremental change has passed; what is required now is bold, coordinated execution across public and private sectors,” Abubakar concluded.
Also speaking at the event, the Divisional Head, Renewable Energy, Mobility and Tourism at Sterling Bank, Mr. Darlington Nwankwo, described logistics as the backbone of trade, industry, and national competitiveness.
He noted that while the sector contributes just under four percent to Nigeria’s GDP, estimated at approximately ₦15trillion, its true economic impact is significantly larger when viewed as an enabler of productivity across agriculture, manufacturing, and trade.
“We must be deliberate about fixing the logistics backbone of the economy if we are to unlock the growth we need. Nigeria’s trade competitiveness is directly linked to the efficiency of its logistics corridors, from ports to inland distribution networks.”
“At Sterling, we see our role as connecting capital to execution, designing financing solutions that do not just fund infrastructure but unlock entire value chains. This includes supporting multimodal transport systems, enabling cleaner mobility solutions, and partnering with both government and private sector players to reduce investment risk. The opportunity before us is not just to fix what is broken, but to build a logistics ecosystem that is faster, more efficient, and globally competitive.”
Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, echoed the call for bold ideas, strategic investments, and forward-looking policies, describing the summit as a vital platform to shape the future of movement, trade, and connectivity in Nigeria. He urged policymakers to move swiftly from planning to implementation, called on investors to support infrastructure and innovation, and encouraged industry leaders to champion efficiency, sustainability, and accountability.
In his keynote address, Professor Biodun Adedipe grounded these ambitions in hard realities, noting that with nearly 90 percent of Nigeria’s logistics dependent on road transport, the country faces mounting congestion and maintenance costs that demand diversification into rail and more durable infrastructure. He cautioned that economic transformation requires patience, with meaningful results unlikely to materialise in under 18 months.
Panel discussions throughout the day focused on reducing logistics costs, strengthening aviation and road integration, modernizing downstream energy distribution, and accelerating the adoption of cleaner and more sustainable mobility solutions.
The summit concluded with a call for sustained public-private collaboration, stronger regulatory coordination, and the creation of structured financing vehicles to de-risk infrastructure investments.
As Nigeria seeks to strengthen its regional trade position and unlock non-oil export growth, NTLS 2026 marks a decisive step toward building a more integrated, resilient, and globally competitive transport and logistics ecosystem.
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