Ex-CBN Governor Emefiele’s Trial: Witness Admits Delivering $400,000 in Cash Without Documentation
The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele continued today, with a prosecution witness, John Adetola, testifying that he delivered $400,000 in cash to Emefiele without documenting the transaction or providing any proof.
Adetola, who served as executive assistant to Emefiele, told the Lagos Special Offences Court in Ikeja that he acted on instructions from Eric Odoh, who allegedly asked him to collect the money from former CBN Director of Information Technology, John Ayoh, and hand it to Emefiele in Lagos. Adetola claimed that he saw no need to document the transaction or provide any proof.
Under cross-examination, Adetola confirmed that he was not under prosecution and had not struck any immunity deal with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He also admitted that in his statement to the EFCC, he did not mention any communication with Emefiele about the $400,000.
Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, are facing 19 counts bordering on alleged bribery and corrupt demands totaling $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion, brought by the EFCC.
The court adjourned the matter till today for continuation of the trial, after discharging the witness. The EFCC is expected to present more evidence and witnesses to support their case against Emefiele and Omoile.
