A prosecution witness, John Adetola, on Monday told the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, that he once received and delivered $400,000 to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele while serving as his executive assistant.
Adetola made the claim while testifying in Emefiele’s ongoing corruption trial, where the former apex bank boss and one Herry Omoile are facing a 26-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charges include accepting gratification, receiving gifts through agents, fraudulent property acquisition and conferring corrupt advantages on associates in violation of the Corrupt Practices Act 2000. Both men pleaded not guilty.
Adetola, who is the seventh prosecution witness, admitted during cross-examination that he had no record of the alleged transaction.
He also acknowledged that he never informed the EFCC of any WhatsApp or phone conversations with Emefiele regarding the money.
“In 2018, I can not remember the specific date. Mr. Eric Odoh sent me a message on WhatsApp saying that I should collect $400,000 from John Ayoh and give it to the former CBN Governor when he arrived in Lagos,” Adetola said.
“I went to John Ayoh’s house in Lekki, he gave me an envelope, and I returned to the office and handed it to the former CBN Governor,” he added.
When asked by Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, if he had any evidence to prove the alleged transaction, Adetola replied that he had not documented it. He also said he did not provide any call records or WhatsApp messages to the EFCC to support his claim.
“I did not see any need for it,” he told the court when asked during re-examination by EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) why he failed to document the money transfer.
Adetola told the court he was not under prosecution and denied reaching any immunity deal with the EFCC to testify against Emefiele. However, he confirmed that the anti-graft agency confronted him with WhatsApp printouts relating to the case.
He further disclosed that he holds a higher national diploma in secretarial studies and is a member of the chartered institute of personnel management.
As executive assistant, he said, “My direct boss is the 1st defendant (Emefiele). The 1st defendant is the head of the secretariat, and I report directly to him.”
Adetola said he spent 11 days in EFCC custody, during which he was questioned extensively but was never brought face-to-face with Emefiele or Ayoh concerning the $400,000.
Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned proceedings to Tuesday (today) for continuation of trial.
