The Lagos High Court Sitting in Ikeja witnessed startling revelations as the second prosecution witness, former Director of Information Technology at the Central Bank of Nigeria, John Ayoh, testified against former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, alleging that Emefiele never awarded contracts without demanding bribes.
Ayoh’s testimony, delivered before Justice Rahman Oshodi on Monday, forms part of the ongoing trial of the former Central Bank Governor on charges of abuse of office and accepting gratification amounting to $4.5bn and N2.8bn.
Narrating his experience, Ayoh disclosed, “That is how he operates, he will not award contracts without collecting anything.”
Under examination by Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Rotimi Oyedepo, Ayoh recounted how he facilitated the collection of sums of money on behalf of Emefiele.
He revealed that he received $400,000 at his residence in Lekki, which Emefiele’s assistant, John Adetola, retrieved.
Ayoh further testified to collecting another $200,000 from a CBN contractor at the bank’s Tinubu Lagos Island office, on behalf of Emefiele.
Ayoh’s testimony shed light on the alleged modus operandi of Emefiele, revealing a pattern of financial transactions involving the former CBN governor.
Responding to cross-examination by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olalekan Ojo, representing Emefiele, Ayoh denied complicity in any criminal activity but acknowledged unwittingly facilitating such acts.
He stated, “I believe I did admit in my statement that I was forced to commit the crime. I don’t know the exact word I used in my statement, but I said we were all forced with tremendous pressure to bend the rules.”
Although Ayoh did not explicitly mention that the bribes influenced contract awards in his statement to the EFCC, he reiterated Emefiele’s practice of not awarding contracts without receiving bribes.
Prior to Ayoh’s testimony, Emefiele had challenged the court’s jurisdiction to try him, arguing that he cannot be tried in a state high court for alleged acts of abuse of office, citing constitutional and legal grounds.
The court deferred its decision on jurisdiction until the end of the trial and when judgment is delivered.
Meanwhile, further proceedings have been adjourned till May 3, 2024, as the trial continues. Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Isioma-Omoile, face a 26-count charge relating to alleged abuse of office, accepting gratifications, and other corrupt practices.
