No documentation for alleged $400,000 given to Emefiele – EFCC witness tells court

In a significant development in the ongoing corruption trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, a key witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has admitted that there is no documentation to support a major financial transaction at the heart of the case.

John Adetola, who served as an executive assistant to Emefiele, made the disclosure on Monday while being cross-examined by Olalekan Ojo (SAN), counsel to the embattled former CBN boss, at the Ikeja High Court

Adetola revealed that there were no written records or receipts for the alleged $400,000 he claimed to have handed over to Emefiele. The absence of documentation raises critical questions about the evidentiary weight of the claim.

Henry Omoile, Emefiele’s co-defendant, is facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts by a public officer.

During cross-examination, Adetola admitted that he did not provide the EFCC with WhatsApp chats or phone call records to prove he had informed Emefiele about collecting the money on his behalf.

He recounted that in 2018, a man identified as Eric Odoh sent a WhatsApp message, instructing him to collect the money from one John Ayoh and deliver it to Emefiele upon his arrival in Lagos.

“I went to John Ayoh’s house at Lekki; he gave me an envelope. I came back to the office and gave it to the former CBN governor,” Adetola told the court.

He denied entering into any agreement with the EFCC to testify against Emefiele in exchange for immunity from prosecution, adding that the agency confronted him with WhatsApp printouts related to the transaction.

While being cross-examined by Adeyinka Kotoye, counsel to the second defendant, the witness stated that he had no dealings with Omoile.

During re-examination by Rotimi Oyedepo, EFCC counsel, Adetola was asked why he failed to document the alleged $400,000 transaction.

“I didn’t see any need for it,” he replied.

Rahman Oshodi, the presiding judge, discharged the witness and adjourned the case until May 27 for the continuation of the trial.