CBN staff testified against Ex-CBN governor Court, revealed how he handed over $400,000 to him

The prosecution of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele progressed on Thursday as the Executive Assistant to the former governor testified before the Justice Rahman Oshodi-led Special Offences sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on how he handed over $400,000 to his former boss.

The Executive Assistant, John Adetona who is a witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in the criminal prosecution of Emefiele confirmed before the Court that,: “In 2018, I can’t remember the date, Mr. Eric Odoh sent me a message on WhatsApp that I should go and collect the sum of $400,000 from John Ayoh and give it to the former CBN Governor when he came to Lagos.

“I went to the house of John Ayoh at Lekki in Lagos. He gave me an envelope and I came back to the office, and I gave it to the former CBN Governor.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes prosecuting Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN led Adetona to testify in Court and disclosed that Adetona was summoned from his new posting in Ekiti to Lagos to serve as the seventh witness in the matter.

The embattled former CBN boss has been standing trial alongside his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, in a 26-count charge related to alleged abuse of office and financial fraud involving $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.

Mr Adetola explained his official role in the CBN in detail, including managing office correspondence, attending to visitors, and handling assignments from his boss.

He explained that he joined the CBN in June 2014 after starting his career with Veritas Registrars (formerly Zenith Registrars) in 2007. Adetola also mentioned that he had known Emefiele as the Managing Director of Zenith Bank before transitioning to the CBN.

Regarding his communication with Emefiele, Adetola stated, “I communicate with the former CBN Governor through telephone, office line, email, and verbal communication.”

When asked to identify some of Emefiele’s family members, he said, “I know Mr. George, I know Mr. Okanta. They are Mr. Emefiele’s brothers. I know his wife, Mrs. Margaret Emefiele. I know the second defendant, Henry Omoile.”

Adetola also described his encounter with the EFCC, stating, “In February 2023, I received an invitation from the EFCC to come to their office. They interviewed me. I travelled to the EFCC office in Lagos and made voluntary statements.”

When questioned about his interactions with John Ayoh during his tenure at the CBN, Adetola confirmed, “Yes, we work together; John Ayoh was the former Director of the ICT.”

He further noted that his phone had been examined by the EFCC, and he was questioned about certain office documents printed from it.

“In 2018, I can’t remember the date, Mr. Eric sent me a message on WhatsApp that I should go collect $400,000 from John Ayoh and give it to the former CBN Governor when he comes to Lagos.

“I went to the house of John Ayoh at Lekki in Lagos State; he gave me an envelope, and I came back to the office; I gave it to the former CBN Governor,” Adetola reiterated.

The prosecution attempted to tender documents as exhibits, but the defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) and Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), opposed the move.

However, Justice Oshodi dismissed their objection and admitted the documents, which included “a combination of official communication between the witness and Emefiele via WhatsApp, between the witness and John Ogah and Eric Odoh,” as evidence.

The court adjourned the case for further hearing.