David Jaiyeoba, a witness of the Economic and FinancialCrimes Commission (EFCC), has told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) highcourt in Abuja that $2.045 million in cash and several property documents weretraced to Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN). Jaiyeoba, the 12th prosecution witness and an EFCCoperative, while testifying in the ongoing trial, linked the funds and propertyacquisitions to approvals, bank transactions and statements obtained during thecommission’s investigation. Led in evidence by Rotimi Oyedepo, EFCC director of publicprosecutions, the witness identified several internal memoranda of the CBNapproving payments for renovation, landscaping, power supply and furnishing ofthe ex-apex bank governor’s official residence in Ikoyi, Lagos. The witness told the court that several documents werepresented as exhibits, including an internal CBN memorandum authorisingpayments to Architeco Nigeria Limited for renovation works in Emefiele’sresidence. Also tendered was a contract agreement detailing landscapingservices carried out by the same firm at the Ikoyi property. He further pointed to another internal CBN memo seekingapproval for the payment of N97,998,416.38 to Architeco Nigeria Limited for thesupply of office furniture, noting that the request was approved by Emefiele. In addition, the witness described exhibit A8 as an internalmemorandum connected to a contract for the installation of dedicated powerlines at the Ikoyi residence. He said the document was backed by an interimpayment certificate and carried the defendant’s approval. Jaiyeoba also told the court that, as part of theinvestigation, the EFCC wrote to Zenith Bank to track the defendant’s bankaccount. He identified Exhibits ED1, ED2 and ED3 as responsesreceived from Zenith Bank in relation to Emefiele’s account. According to the witness, a debit transaction dated January13, 2015, on account number 2020000064 reflected a payment of N4 million toArchiteco Nigeria Limited. The court was further informed that the investigation led tothe recovery of $2.045 million, as well as several properties and titledocuments, from the headquarters of Zenith Bank Plc in Lagos. “My Lord, the funds, amounting to $2,045,000, alongsideseveral properties and title documents were recovered from Zenith Bank Plcheadquarters in Lagos, in the possession of one Mr Collins Omeke, a lawyer tothe defendant,” he said. He added that Omeke told investigators he had beenpurchasing properties and processing title documents on the instructions of thedefendant. “When questioned as to how he funded these acquisitions, MyLord, he confirmed that the defendant was in the habit of giving him cash sumsin foreign currency, precisely United States dollars, for the acquisition ofthose properties,” the witness stated. The witness further told the court that Omeke said the cashrecovered from him had been delivered by one Eric Ocheme Udoh on behalf of thedefendant, adding that a portion of the money was used to renovate some ofEmefiele’s property. At the end of the session, the prosecution asked the courtto adjourn proceedings to March 3, 5, 16 and 17, 2026, for the continuation ofthe trial. Matthew Burkaaa, defence counsel, did not oppose theapplication but said there was repetition of evidence, noting that an earlierwitness, PW7, had already identified approvals relating to the transactions. He warned that the defence would object if the trendcontinued in subsequent sittings. Responding, the prosecution argued that the consistency ofits case warranted the approach and urged the court to allow it present itscase as it deemed fit. In his remarks, Hamza Muazu, the trial judge, expressedconcern that the prosecution appeared “too careful” and often requiredprompting by the court, but said he would accommodate it. He consequently adjourned the matter to March 5, 16 and 17,2026, for continuation of trial.
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