An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, John Adetola, testified on Thursday before the Lagos Special Offences Court in Ikeja, revealing how he handed over $400,000 to the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Adetola, who served as an executive assistant to Emefiele, made the disclosure during the ongoing trial of Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile. Both are facing 26 counts related to alleged abuse of office and financial fraud involving $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.
While being led in evidence by EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Adetola recounted being summoned to Lagos from his posting in Ekiti State in 2018 to carry out the transaction.
“In 2018, I can’t remember the date, Mr. Eric Odoh sent me a message on WhatsApp to go and collect the sum of $400,000 from John Ayoh and give it to the former CBN Governor when he came to Lagos,” Adetola stated.
He explained that he collected an envelope containing the cash from Ayoh’s residence in Lekki, Lagos, and delivered it to Emefiele at the office. Adetola, who joined CBN in 2014 after working with Veritas Registrars, detailed his duties as an executive assistant, which included managing office correspondence and attending to visitors.
Adetola confirmed that he communicated with Emefiele through telephone, email, and other means and identified several of Emefiele’s family members, including his wife, Margaret, and brothers, George and Okanta.
The witness also revealed that he had been invited by the EFCC in February 2023, during which he provided statements and allowed investigators to examine his phone and office documents.
When asked about his relationship with John Ayoh, Adetola noted that Ayoh was a former Director of ICT at CBN, and they had worked together.
Adetola further testified that EFCC officials retrieved WhatsApp messages between himself, Emefiele, and other individuals connected to the case. The messages detailed instructions for collecting and transferring funds.
An attempt by the prosecution to tender these documents as exhibits was initially challenged by defense lawyers Olalekan Ojo (SAN) and Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN). However, Justice Rahman Oshodi dismissed their objection and admitted the documents, including WhatsApp communications, as evidence.
The court adjourned further hearings in the case until December 10, 2024.
