Alleged N4.6bn laundering: Witness testifies against Usman, Fani-Kayode, others

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday gave more evidence before a Federal High Court in Lagos in the ongoing trial of a former Minister of State for Finance, Nenandi Usman,who is facing a corruption charge.
EFCC had arraigned Usman alongside Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation and Chairman of the 2015 Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation.
Also charged with them are a former National Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Yusuf Danjuma and a company — Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Ltd.
EFCC arraigned them on a 17-count charge bordering on laundering of N4.6 billion.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bails.
The EFCC Prosecutor, Mr Nnaemeka Omenwa, on Wednesday resumed examination-in-chief of the second witness for the prosecution, Mr Teslim Ajuwon.
Ajuwon told the court that he is a compliance officer and representative of Zenith Bank.
Omenwa proceeded to ask the witness to confirm the total credit of N840 million to the second accused’s account by Joint Trust Dimensions.
In response, the witness confirmed N840 million credit from the previous statement of account tendered before the court.
Following a further question, the witness listed the cheque withdrawals made by the second accused.
In his cross-examination, Counsel to the first accused, Mr Ferdinand Orbih (SAN) asked him to confirm that Zenith Bank was not stated at the beginning of the second accused’s statement of account (Exhibit 7).
The witness replied: You are correct.
Orbih: Confirm that the statement of account is not signed by any officer of your bank.
Witness: It is not.
Orbih: Were the statements signed and stamped when sent to Embassies ?
Witness: Yes we do.
Orbih: Do you agree that apart from your oral evidence, there is nothing to show in this statement of account that it emanated from your bank?
Witness: I don’t totally agree because the last page shows; for vital information, call Zenith Direct, all our statements of account have that.
Orbih: Where is the account of Femi Fani Kayode operated and opened ?
Witness: From the statement, I can tell, but I don’t have it by heart.
Orbih: Are you in a position to tell if Femi Fani Kayode was physically present to cash the money from the bank?”
Witness : I cannot.
In his cross-examination, Counsel to the second accused, Mr Norrison Quakers (SAN), asked the witness: Did you say you’re a witness of truth and that all statements of account emanating from your bank have the vital information attached to it ?
Witness: That is what I said.
Quakers: Look at exhibit seven; whose statement of account is it ?
Witness: Femi Fani-Kayode.
Quakers: Does it have the vital information attached to it?
Witness: No, it doesn’t .
Quakers: By your oral evidence before this court today, it means that statement of account does not adhere to your bank’s practice and procedures by not having the vital information attached to it ?
Witness: That is not true.
Quakers: Are you aware this account was opened to fund the campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan?
Witness: I am not aware.
Quakers: Do you regularly testify for EFCC and get paid ?
Witness: I regularly testify but I don’t get paid.
Quakers: It would not be out of place to say you are a professional witness for the EFCC.
Witness: I am not.
Quakers : I put it to you that you are here to aid the EFCC and not the matter at hand.
Witness: I disagree with that.
Justice Aikawa has adjourned until March 1 for continuation of trial.