30th April, 2024
The second prosecution witness, John Ayoh in ongoing trial of the former governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele who is standing trial over an alleged gratifications and others, has admitted that he has nothing to prove that the defendant instructed him to collect money on his behalf.
The witness who was a former CBN director of Information Technology (ICT) admitted this while being cross examined by Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo over his testimony that he collected $400, 000 and $200, 000 on behalf of the defendant from contractors.
The witness gave testimony before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court, (Special Offence), Ikeja on
23-count charge bordering on abuse of office, accepting gratifications, corrupt demand and others slammed on Emefiele and one other by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Ayoh was led in evidence in Chief by the prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo in which he detailed his role in the alleged offence preferred against Emefiele by EFCC.
However, under cross examination by the defendant’s counsel, Ojo, the witness said his duty as CBN ICT director then, did not required running errands for Emefiele, but he worked directly with the former CBN governor then.
Ayoh testified that he began to worked directly with Emefiele when the former Deputy Governor (Mr Adelabu) resigned.
He admitted that Emefiele was not in charge of the Procurement and Support Services Department (PSSD) of CBN, which has the sole responsibility of selecting successful contract bidders.
The witness also admitted that Emefiele did not informed him whether the money he collected was for gratification for the award of contracts.
Ayoh also informed the court that he did not give any evidence to prove that he collected money on behalf of Emefiele from contractors to EFCC.
He also revealed that it was CBN’s Major Contract Tender Committee (MCTC) that took final decision on award of contract with recommendation from PSSD and that Emefiele was not a member of the committee.
The witness stated that Emefiele was only a member of the Committee of Governors (COG) and that their decisions are collegiate.
Ayoh further admitted that he was not told by anybody that the money given to him was bribe for contract awarded but he just implied that himself.