How I Received $6000,000 Gratification On Behalf Of Emefiele – Ex-CBN Director
A former Director of Information Technology with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr John Ayoh on Monday told a Lagos Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja how he received the sum of Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($6000,000.00) as gratification for a contract on behalf of the then Governor of the bank Mr Godwin Emefiele.
Ayoh, while being led in evidence by the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) told the court that he had spent eight years in the CBN and that he received a letter from the EFCC concerning two transactions which he facilitated on behalf of Mr Emefiele.
The witness, who was the Head of the Procurement and Support Services (PSS) Department of the bank, said he was vested with powers to receive applications for the award of contracts to select successful bidders. He further told the court that the first envelope containing $400,000 was brought to his house in Lekki while he received the second envelope containing $200,000 at the Tinubu Head Office of the CBN.
According to him, the first leg of the transaction was at his residence in Lekki Phase One while the second enveloped money he received occurred at the Tinubu Head Office of the CBN.
He said: “The man to deliver the second transaction came to my office in Lagos and I informed the Governor but he said he did not want to see a third party and that I should bring the envelope myself.
“I complied with the instruction and went to his office and delivered it.
“Mr John Adeola was the one I sent my address to and he came to my house.
“He is the Governor’s assistant and the total money I receive on his behalf was $400,000 and $200,000, respectively.”
The witness further informed the court that the vendors who bought the alleged envelopes containing money were in charge of the implementation of Netapp Storage Architectural and Infrastructural Services.
While under cross-examination by the first defence counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), he told the court that his schedule of duties did not include running errands for Mr Emefiele though he directly worked under him.
Ayoh confirmed to the court that Mr Emefiele was not a member of PSS but he was a member of the Major Contract Tender Committee (MCTC).
He added that he had never facilitated the commission of any crime.
Mr Ojo asked if the witness wrote in his statement that he was forced to aid or abet the commission of accepting gratification.
The witness said: “I do not remember the exact word that I used and I did not write in my statement that I opened the two envelopes on the two occasions to check the total sum of money.
“I wrote a statement, and it implied that the money in the envelopes was given to me to influence the award of contract.
“I did not take part in the decision of MCTC but I recommended that the award be given and I was not bribed.
“I was invited by EFCC on 17 February. I was not arrested but I returned home on administrative bail.”
The witness further informed the court that he operated under duress while he received the two envelopes from the contractors.
“On your honour, did you indicate in your statement that you were acting under duress while running errands for the first defendant,” the learned silk asked.
The prosecution, however, objected to the question and argued that the statement of the witness was not before the court.
The first defence counsel, thereafter sought that the statement of the defendant be admitted in evidence.
Justice Rahman Oshodi thereafter admitted the statement of the witness, (three pages) in evidence, following arguments and counter-augments of the counsel.
The senior advocate reiterated that the witness showed to the court where it was written in his statement that he acted under duress.
The witness told the court that the instructions from Mr Emefiele indicated that he bent rules.
The judge thereafter adjourned further hearing in the suit till 3 May 2024 for continuation of cross-examination.
Eighteen-Eleven Media
