An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission witness, John Adetola, testified on Thursday before the Lagos Special Offences Court in Ikeja, recounting how he delivered $400,000 to the former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The testimony was given during proceedings presided over by Justice Rahman Oshodi.
Emefiele and his co-accused, Henry Omoile, are currently facing a 26-count charge involving alleged abuse of office and fraud totaling $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
Adetola, the seventh witness called by the prosecution, was led in evidence by EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
Adetola, an executive assistant to the former governor, revealed that he had been called from his new posting in Ekiti to carry out the task.
“In 2018, I can’t remember the date, Mr. Eric Odoh sent me a message on WhatsApp that I should go and collect the sum of $400,000 from John Ayoh and give it to the former CBN Governor when he came to Lagos. I went to the house of John Ayoh at Lekki in Lagos. He gave me an envelope and I came back to the office, and I gave it to the former CBN Governor,” Adetola stated.
Adetola described his responsibilities at the CBN, explaining that he handled office correspondences, managed visitors, and carried out other tasks assigned by Emefiele.
He joined the CBN in 2014, having previously worked at Veritas Registrars (formerly Zenith Registrars) since 2007.
When asked about his means of communication with Emefiele, he said, “I communicate with the former CBN Governor through telephone, office line, email, and verbal communication.”
He also mentioned knowing several of Emefiele’s family members, including his wife, Mrs. Margaret Emefiele, and his brothers, Mr. George and Mr. Okanta. He identified the second defendant, Henry Omoile, as someone he also knew.
Adetola recounted his encounter with the EFCC in early 2023, stating, “In February 2023, I received an invitation from the EFCC to come to their office. They interviewed me. I travelled to the EFCC office in Lagos and made voluntary statements.”
He confirmed working with John Ayoh, who was the former Director of ICT, and noted that the EFCC had examined his phone, finding relevant office documents.
As Adetola reiterated how he received the WhatsApp instruction from Eric Odoh to collect the $400,000, the prosecution sought to admit related documents into evidence.
The defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) and Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), objected, but Justice Oshodi ruled in favor of the prosecution, admitting the documents, which included WhatsApp communications between Adetola, Emefiele, and others.
The court adjourned the case to December 10 for further hearing.
