A manager with Zenith Bank on Monday told a Federal High Court in Abuja
that the $39.9 million paid to a company belonging to a cousin of former
President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Azibaola Robert, was inconsequential to
the bank given the net worth of the firm and its promoter.
Besides, the bank official, who was called as a witness by the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission in the ongoing trial of Robert and
Oneplus Holding, maintained that the bank had never received any
incriminating report against the company and its Chief Executive Officer,
Robert until the EFCC wrote seeking information in the $39.9 million
payment.
The manager, Olabode Farinuola, Zenith Bank’s Deputy Manager
(Compliance), described Robert, his companies as those belonging to the
bank’s “High Net worth Customers”.
According to Farinuola, who was cross examined by Robert’s counsel, Gordy
Uche, SAN, cash inflows into Oneplus and its sister company, Kakatar CE
Limited, make Robert and his wife one of the biggest customers of Zenith
bank.
The bank official told the court that Oneplus and Kakatar CE, which belong
to Robert were holding big construction projects cutting across the
country and especially in Abuja and with stead cash inflows into the bank
The bank official said, “They are net-worth accounts with Zenith Bank
Plc. The accounts are very busy as the company is handling several
high-profile construction projects for the federal government and its
agencies.
He vouched for the integrity of Roberts and his companies.
Farinuola, who is the second Prosecution Witness in the case, told the
court presided over by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba that he did not know the
purpose for which $39.9 million was paid into OnePlus’ account by the
ONSA, and what it was used for by the firm.
The bank officer stated that the Bank complied with all regulations for
opening a corporate account for Oneplus Holdings under the KYC (Know Your
Customer) principle.
Asked if, as a compliance officer, the Bank had ever received any
complaint of any form of financial misconduct from any law enforcement
agency, Mr. Fanriunola, said, ‘No’ and pointed out that the only letter
from EFCC to the bank was the one requesting for the account opening
package.
“No other agency has ever written to question any financial transaction by
OnePlus Holdings,”, he said.
In his earlier testimony of October 6th, led by EFCC counsel, Barrister,
Tahir, Mr. Farinuola had stated, ‘On 22nd January, 2016, we received a
letter from EFCC on investigation activities on OnePlus Holdings Limited
on the domiciliary account requesting for the account opening
documentation, the statement of account, and a certificate of
identification, which we forwarded to EFCC’.
On cross examination by the Roberts’ counsel, Gordy Uche (SAN), Mr.
Farinuola reiterated that he had never met any of the accused persons in
life, and was meeting them for the first time in court.
Mr and Mrs Roberts are standing trial for allegedly receiving money from
the ONSA in the last administration for the purposes of handling security
matters for the State. Robert Azibaola is the Managing Director of OnePlus
Holdings Limited and Kakatar CE Limited.
The case has been adjourned to November 18, 2016 for the EFCC to produce
another witness.