How I collected $400,000 on behalf of Godwin Emefiele: Witness Confesses
Since the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s term, the former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, has been facing several court cases.
His cases relate to corruption charges and mismanagement of the nation’s treasury.
The seventh prosecution witness in the trial of Godwin Emefiele has revealed details about handling a $400,000 cash transaction.
The personal assistant to the former CBN governor, Mr. John Adetola, testified before an Ikeja Special Offences Court on Thursday.
Emefiele is currently facing charges of alleged ab*se of office and financial misconduct involving $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion during his tenure as governor.
He is being pros£cuted alongside his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, who faces charges related to unlawful acceptance of gifts.
During the proceedings, Adetola, represented by his lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), detailed his responsibilities as Emefiele’s assistant, which included managing office communications and overseeing visitors in Lagos. These duties granted him direct access to the former CBN governor.
Adetola confessed to receiving invitations from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in February 2023, where he was questioned about his association with Emefiele.
In his statement, Adetola revealed that in 2018, he received instructions from Mr. Eric Odoh, the then-personal assistant to Emefiele in Abuja, to collect $400,000 from Mr. John Ayoh, the former director of the ICT department. Adetola said,
“I went to Mr. Ayoh’s residence in Lekki, collected the envelope containing the money, and delivered it to the governor at the office.”
He also confirmed sharing details of this transaction with the EFCC during his interrogation.
In his testimony, Adetola acknowledged knowing members of Emefiele’s family, including his younger brothers, George and Okanta, as well as his wife, Margaret, due to his close professional relationship with the former governor.
Adetola identified several documents presented in court, including correspondence between him and Emefiele, as well as communications involving Ayoh and Odoh.
The prosecution sought to admit the documents for identification purposes.
While Emefiele’s lawyer, Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN), did not oppose the motion, Omoile’s lawyer, Mr. Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), argued that documents not formally submitted as exh!bits could not be admitted.
The judge in charge, Justice Rahman Oshodi admitted the documents for identification purposes after hearing arguments from both parties.
However, the court adjourned the trial to December 10 for cross-examination of the witness.
