Former CBN Director Testifies: How I Obtained $600,000 For Emefiele Revealed In Court

Former CBN Director Testifies: How I Obtained $600,000 For Emefiele Revealed In Court....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

During proceedings at the Ikeja Special Offences Court, a former Director of Information and Technology at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), John Ayoh, testified yesterday about receiving $600,000 from two contractors allegedly on behalf of former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele. Ayoh’s revelation emerged during a cross-examination led by Olalekan Ojo SAN, representing Emefiele, who faces charges of abuse of office and involvement in a multi-billion-dollar fraud.

Presiding over the trial, Justice Rahman Oshodi heard Ayoh’s account of financial transactions linked to Emefiele. Emefiele, the primary defendant, had previously challenged the court’s jurisdiction to try him. His legal team filed a motion contesting the court’s constitutional authority to hear the charges against him, a key part of their defense strategy.

The allegations against Emefiele are part of a wider investigation into corruption within Nigeria’s financial sector. The defense argued on constitutional grounds, contending that the charges were unlawful. Counsel for the second defendant, Henry Isioma-Omoili, supported this argument.

The prosecution, represented by EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the defense’s objection and proceed with the trial. Oyedepo cited relevant legal provisions and emphasized the defense’s attempt to delay the trial.

Justice Oshodi deferred ruling on the jurisdictional matter. However, he ruled that proceedings involving the first to eighth defendants would henceforth be public. This decision followed the withdrawal of an earlier application by Oyedepo to hold the trial in camera.

Ayoh, serving as the second Prosecution Witness (PW2), clarified that he did not directly report to Emefiele during his tenure at the CBN. He stated that he worked under a former Deputy Governor of the CBN, Adebayo Adelabu, from 2014 to 2019. Ayoh detailed how he received the first envelope containing $400,000 at his residence in Lekki, providing his home address and phone number to the individual who delivered it.

For more information join our WhatsApp group by clicking the link here: WhatsApp Group Invite