John Adetola, the seventh prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Godwin Emefiele, narrated how he collected $400,000 on behalf of the ex-governor of the Central Bank.

Mr Adetola, the former personal assistant to Mr Emefiele, made the revelation on Thursday while giving evidence before the Ikeja Special Offences Court.

Mr Emefiele is standing trial for alleged abuse of office and $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud while in office.

He is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside his co-defendant, Henry Omoile.

Mr Omoile, on his part, is facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents.

At the resumed hearing, Mr Adetola, through his counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), told the court that he managed office correspondences and visitors of the governor in Lagos. He said his duty gave him direct access to Mr Emefiele.

Mr Adetola said that sometime in February 2023, he received an invite from EFCC and was interviewed about his relationship with Mr Emefiele.

He said, “In 2018, Mr Eric Odoh, the personal assistant to the governor in Abuja, sent a message to me that I should go and meet Mr John Ayoh, the former director of the ICT department, to collect $400,000 and give it to the governor.

“I went to Mr Ayoh’s house in Lekki, and he gave me the envelope. I came back to the office and gave the envelope to the governor.”

Mr Adetola further told the court that he informed EFCC about the money during his interrogation.

The witness also confirmed that he communicated with Mr Emefiele by telephone, email, office line, and verbal communication whenever he was around.

He also confirmed to the court that he knew one George and Okanta, Mr Emefiele’s younger brothers and the governor’s wife, Margaret, by virtue of his relationship with his boss.

Mr Adetola also confirmed to the court that Mr Omoile (his co-defendant) lived in Mr Emefiele’s house in Lagos.

The witness also identified bundles of documents which were official communication between him and the ex-governor.

He also identified documents showing his communication with Mr Ayoh (former director of the ICT department) and Mr Odoh (personal assistant to the governor in Abuja).

The prosecution sought to tender the bundles of documents for identification purposes.

Mr Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), did not object.

But Mr Omoile’s counsel, Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), objected and argued that the documents had no basis in law.

According to Mr Kotoye, a document not tendered as an exhibit should not be tendered at all.

Mr Oyedepo, in his response, argued that the documents were relevant and would prove essential ingredients of the offences.

“The documents are for the purpose of identification,” he said.

After considering the parties’ submissions, Justice Rahman Oshodi admitted the bundles of documents for identification purposes.

Mr Oshodi adjourned the case until December 10 for cross-examination of the witness.

(NAN)