The witness, Remigus Ugwu, appeared as the first prosecution witness (PW1) in the case before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie following his presentation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammed, SAN, Ugwu told the court that the EFCC requested banking records relating to several companies allegedly linked to the defendant during the course of its investigation.
He identified the entities as Capital Assets Ltd, Dhuha Engineering Services Ltd, Misa Ltd and others, explaining that the commission requested account opening documents, statements of account, certificates of identification and other banking records.
According to the witness, he printed the requested account statements and account opening documents before comparing them with information stored in Zenith Bank’s computer system to ensure their accuracy.
“I printed the statements of the accounts of the customers mentioned, together with the account opening documents. I compared the statements of accounts printed from our computer with the information stored in our computer system, which we use for our day-to-day activities and found it to be correct.
“I issued the certificate of identification, which I personally signed. We raised a covering letter forwarding all the documents requested by the EFCC, and the covering letter was signed by myself and my other colleague,” he told the court.
Ugwu further testified that he could identify both the EFCC’s investigation request and Zenith Bank’s official response, noting that the documents bore the bank’s acknowledgment stamp, official letterhead and the names of the affected customers.
After examining the documents presented to him in court, the witness confirmed their authenticity, telling the court: “My Lord, these are the documents.”
However, an attempt by the prosecution to tender the documents as exhibits was opposed by the defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, who argued that they were not properly certified.
Following the objection, Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter until July 22, 2026, for a ruling on the admissibility of the documents.
Ayeni is facing an 18-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and diversion of funds amounting to N15.6 billion. He has denied the allegations.
