The seventh prosecution witness, Mr. John Adetola, the Executive Assistant to the embattled former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele on Monday confirmed that he collected the sum of $400,000 and handed it over to Emefiele.
Emefiele is standing trial on a 19-count charge bordering on receiving gratification and corrupt demand preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents.
The prosecution witness maintained this testimony while being cross-examined by Mr. Olalekan Ojo, SAN, Counsel to the first defendant in the ongoing trial before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja.
At the resumed trial, the witness told the court that he served as executive assistant to the former apex bank governor and received correspondences and carry out any other assignments given to him.
He stated that his direct boss was the first defendant (Emefiele) and make documentation when it comes to the activities of his organisation and staff for reference and proofs.
When he was asked by the defence counsel to the first defendant to confirm statements he made in relation to the alleged financial crime investigated by the EFCC, Mr. Adetola said, “I told the EFCC everything I knew in respect of the alleged financial crimes.
Ojo asked, “Didn’t you consider an alleged instruction of a WhatsApp of Eric Odoh of collection of $400,000 to go and collect from a person to seek confirmation?
The witness replied: “I didn’t have to confirm because the personal assistant is a colleague.”
He also acknowledged that he didn’t show any chat to the operatives of EFCC in which he informed the first defendant that he collected the money on his behalf.
When the counsel told him he had no proof, the witness countered that the proof is available.
When asked what document he was confronted with which led to saying that he collected $400,000 from John Ayoh, he replied, “The print-out from the WhatsApp.”
He added, “I was not confronted with any document on the 6th of February, 2025 but it was on the 9th of February, 2024, I was confronted with it.
He further told the court that throughout being questioned by the EFCC, he did not produce any document that either the first defendant and defendant’s wife are directors or shareholders of some companies.
Adetola admitted that he did not keep any record of the alleged $400,000 receipt in his official capacity.
When asked if he was being prosecuted for his involvement in the alleged transaction, he responded in the negative.
He also confirmed that in his extrajudicial statement made while in the custody of EFCC, he did not mention any WhatsApp or telephone conversation with Emefiele regarding the $400,000.
The witness stated he didn’t enter into any agreement with the EFCC to testify against the defendant in exchange for non-prosecution.
The witness informed the court that he holds a Higher National Diploma in Secretarial Studies and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management.
He also revealed that he was in EFCC custody for 11 days, during which he was questioned about the alleged financial crimes involving the defendants. “I told the EFCC everything I knew in respect of the alleged financial crimes,” he said.
Adetola further told the court that the EFCC never brought him face-to-face with either the first defendant or John Ayoh regarding the $400,000 transaction.
While Mr. Adeyinka Kotoye, SAN, counsel to the second defendant, cross-examined the witness, Adetola confirmed he had no dealings with the second defendant (Henry Omoile) in relation to his testimony.
EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) re-examined the witness on some questions.
He stated that he did not document the $400,000 he allegedly collected on behalf of the first defendant, because he did not see any need for it.
Meanwhile, Justice Oshodi discharged the witness and adjourned the matter until May 27, 2025, for the continuation of trial.
