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Zenith Bank compliance officer submits ‘key’ documents against Emefiele
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The trial of the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, continued on Thursday with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) tendering bundles of documents to nail him.
Mr Emefiele is standing trial over abuse of office and alleged $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud while in office.
The documents were tendered through the third prosecution witness, a compliance officer with the Zenith Bank, Clement Ngolu, by the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
The documents were admitted into evidence following a no-objection submission from the first defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), and the second defence counsel, Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN)
Justice Rahman Oshodi admitted the original copies of Zenith Bank account opening package, statement of account of Limelight Multidimensional Services Ltd., sent to the EFCC in evidence.
“I have read the documents dated March 2024, and I admit the original certified copy of the bundles of documents which include account opening package, statement of accounts in evidence and are marked as Exhibit A,” Mr Oshodi said.
Mr Ngolu, in his evidence, said his department responded to regulators and law enforcement agencies in order to ensure that the bank activities were in line with banking policies and regulations.
He added that his department worked with agencies such as the EFCC, the Nigeria Police, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The witness said that his department, in 2014, got a request from the EFCC to furnish them with statements of accounts of Limelight and two other accounts.
“The documents we sent to the EFCC were duly signed by the staff of the bank.
“The process of generating the statement was through our computer system which was in good condition.
“The documents were printed out from the company’s computer which was working well and the documents were in the bank’s custody,” the witness said.
The defence, however, said they had no question for the witness.
Also, a former director of information technology of CBN, John Ayoh, in the continuation of his cross-examination, said he had a confrontation with Mr Emefiele because he asked him to do something wrong.
The witness, who further confirmed that he was sidelined by the embattled governor, added that his being sidelined made him not to have any relationship with him.
“I was not happy being unpopular with the former CBN governor, but on a number of occasions, I signed contract letters to vendors.
“While I was a director with the CBN, my loyalty was to the bank and the Nigerian nation and my relationship with Emefiele was only formal and based on instructions.
“The governor and the four deputy governors of the bank, alongside the directors, make up the management of the CBN,” he said.
The fourth witness, a contractor, in his evidence, testified before the court how he was allegedly pressurised by the apex bank management to pay $600,000 for the contract which he had executed.
Mr Ayoh had, on April 29, narrated before the court how he allegedly collected $600,000 for contract gratification for Emefiele.
The EFCC had, on April 8, arraigned Mr Emefiele on 23 counts bordering on abuse of office, accepting gratifications, corrupt demand, receiving property fraudulently obtained and conferring corrupt advantage.
Also, his co-defendant was arraigned on three counts bordering on acceptance of gifts by agents.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The judge adjourned the case until May 17, for continuation of trial.
By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has marked his 61st birthday by sponsoring 120 inmates at the Medium Security Correctional Centre, Kuje, Abuja, to sit for the National Examinations Council (NECO) and National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) examinations.
The initiative, which took place at the correctional centre on Thursday, formed part of activities marking the Speaker’s birthday and continued his support for educational opportunities for inmates.
Speaker Abbas who was represented by his Special Assistant on Humanitarian Affairs, David Igbe Okponya said the gesture was intended to ensure that incarceration did not become a barrier to education, personal development and the opportunity for inmates to rebuild their lives.
Delivering the Speaker’s message to the inmates, he urged them to use their time in custody to prepare for life beyond the correctional centre.
He urged the inmates not to allow their present circumstances to define their future.
He said: “I leave you with three words: Believe. Learn. Rebuild. Believe that your future can be better. Learn everything that can make you a better person. And when the opportunity comes, rebuild your life and make a positive contribution to society.
“Let this occasion remind us that no human being should be defined only by his worst moment.
“Whatever brought you here is part of your history, but it does not have to define the rest of your life.
“Use your time here wisely. Read, study, learn a trade, acquire a skill, and build your character. When the opportunity comes for you to return to your communities, return prepared to contribute positively to your families and to Nigeria.”
The event also featured testimonies from previous beneficiaries of Abbas’ educational sponsorship, as well as the cutting of the Speaker’s birthday cake with inmates.
An inmate identified simply as Adeolu, who benefited from the Speaker’s examination sponsorship last year, expressed appreciation for the support.
“A big thank you” to the Speaker, he said, before adding, “The foundation builder—that is what we call him in here.”
Another former beneficiary, Chikwendu, recounted how the educational support helped him change his course of study from science to art before sitting for the NECO examination sponsored by the Speaker.
He said he eventually obtained seven distinctions.
“Last year, you were here to plant a seed. I want you to know that, that seed has germinated. We are indebted to our father, the Right Honourable Speaker,” Chikwendu said.
Giving an overview of the educational programmes in the FCT Command, the Education Desk Officer, DSC Adikwu Owoicho, disclosed that more than 2,000 inmates had been registered for various educational programmes.
He said inmates registered in 2025 recorded encouraging performances in both NECO and NABTEB examinations.
“The Speaker is taking the lead in the number of NECO and NABTEB registration sponsorships nationwide. The NGOs are doing their best, but the Speaker is taking the lead,” Owoicho said.
Earlier, the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Christopher Peter Jen, who represented the Comptroller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, commended the Speaker for supporting the Nigerian Correctional Service’s efforts to reform and empower inmates.
The Comptroller General described education as a critical pillar of the Service’s mandate of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration.
He also advocated employment opportunities for reformed inmates, saying those who had undergone rehabilitation were ready to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Representing the Deputy Controller General in charge of Inmates Training and Productivity, SC Igomu Augustine, also appreciated the organisers for supporting inmates and the Service’s efforts to make them productive and better prepared for reintegration into society.
He said the Speaker was taking the lead in sponsoring the registration of inmates for NECO examinations across custodial centres.
The latest sponsorship formed part of his continued support for education and rehabilitation initiatives aimed at giving inmates opportunities to acquire qualifications, skills and the confidence needed to rebuild their lives after release.
Another Nollywood actor, Chijioke Nwokafor, popularly known as CJay Nwoks is dead.
He died on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at an undisclosed hospital in the Badore area of Lagos State.
The sad news was announced by actress Nkechi Blessing, who recently cast CJay as the lead actor in her new film.
Speaking on why the film will no longer be released, Nkechi, who was seen crying in a video on her Instagram page, said, “it took me a lot to do this video because we won’t be dropping the movie again by 5pm.
Right now, I’m in the hospital in Badore. I just lost CJay. CJay is dead. I don’t even know where to start.”
The cause of his death is still very sketchy as at the time of filing this report.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., has called on Nigerians to remain hopeful about the country’s future, declaring that Nigeria is making progress politically, socially and economically.
Abbas made the call in his Independence Day message to Nigerians as the country marked its 61st anniversary of independence on Thursday.
The Speaker noted that Nigeria had continued to mature as a nation, stressing that democracy was taking root in Africa’s most populous country despite the challenges confronting it.
He emphasised the importance of patriotism, peace and national unity, urging Nigerians to work collectively towards the country’s development, growth and prosperity.
Abbas also called on citizens to sustain their prayers and support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, while stressing that nation-building must transcend political affiliations, ethnic differences and religious beliefs.
According to him, the task of building a prosperous nation requires a renewed sense of patriotism and a collective commitment to the common good.
He urged Nigerians to embrace a new national consciousness, love their country and remain dedicated to its progress, insisting that the responsibility for national development rests on every citizen.
The Speaker wished Nigerians a peaceful and memorable Independence Day celebration, expressing hope for a stronger and more prosperous nation.
Abbas Marks 61st Birthday by Sponsoring 120 Kuje Inmates For NECO, NABTEB
SAD! Another Nollywood star is dead
Independence: Nigeria Making Political, Economic Progress, Speaker Abbas Says
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