An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness on Friday failed to link former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele to any Zenith Bank accounts tied to an alleged property fraud.
Testifying before an Abuja High Court, Mshelia Arhyel, a compliance officer at Zenith Bank, said he did not know who owned the accounts of MG Properties Ltd, Ifedigo Integrated Services, and Kelvito Integrated Services, where funds were allegedly lodged.
Under cross-examination, Arhyel confirmed that Emefiele’s name did not appear on the account-opening documents and that he was never invited by the EFCC to make any statement regarding the accounts.
Justice Yusuf Halilu adjourned the case to November 26 for continuation of trial.
Earlier, Emefiele’s counsel, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), challenged the court’s jurisdiction and sought to quash the charges, arguing that his client was not linked to them. Prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) opposed the move, insisting Emefiele was connected to the alleged fraud.
The EFCC accused Emefiele and a co-defendant, Eric Ocheme, of controlling funds and properties suspected to be unlawfully acquired, including billions of naira held in proxy accounts at Zenith Bank.
