Ex-Aide Reveals How He Delivered $400,000 to Emefiele

Mr. John Adetola, the former Personal Assistant to Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), testified in an Ikeja Special Offences Court on Thursday, November 28, about how he allegedly collected $400,000 on behalf of his former boss.

Adetola provided this testimony during the ongoing trial of Emefiele, who is facing charges of abuse of office and involvement in a $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud during his tenure.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Emefiele alongside his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, who faces three counts related to the unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents.

During the resumed hearing, Adetola, represented by his counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that he was responsible for managing office correspondences and handling visitors for Emefiele in Lagos.

He further recalled how he was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in February 2023, where he was interviewed about his relationship with Emefiele.

He said, “I made a voluntary statement at EFCC office.

“In 2018, Mr Eric Odoh, the personal assistant to the governor in Abuja, sent a message to me that I should go and meet Mr John Ayoh, the former director of ICT department to collect $400,000 and give it to the governor.

“I went to Mr Ayoh’s house in Lekki and he gave me the envelope.

“I came back to the office and gave the envelope to the governor.”
Adetola further testified that he had disclosed the $400,000 to the EFCC during his interrogation. He also confirmed that he regularly communicated with Emefiele through various means, including phone calls, emails, the office line, and in-person conversations when the former governor was present.

The witness acknowledged knowing George and Okanta, who are Emefiele’s younger brothers, as well as Emefiele’s wife, Margaret, due to his professional relationship with his boss.

Additionally, Adetola confirmed that Omoile, the co-defendant, resided in Emefiele’s house in Lagos. He also identified several bundles of documents as official communications between himself and the former governor.

Adetola also identified documents showing his communication with Ayoh, the former director of the ICT department, and Odoh, the personal assistant to the governor in Abuja.

The prosecution sought to tender these documents for identification purposes, and Emefiele’s counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN), did not raise any objections.

However, Omoile’s counsel, Mr. Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), objected, arguing that the documents had no legal basis and should not be accepted. According to Kotoye, a document that is not formally tendered as an exhibit should not be introduced.

In response, Oyedepo argued that the documents were relevant and crucial to establishing key elements of the offences being prosecuted.

“The documents are for the purpose of identification,” he said.

Justice Rahman Oshodi admitted the bundles of documents for identification purposes after considering the submissions from both parties.

The judge adjourned the case until December 10 for the cross-examination of the witness.