The seventh prosecution witness, John Adetola, within the ongoing trial of ex-governor of Central Financial institution, Godwin Emefiele, narrated how he collected the sum of $400,000 on behalf of the ex-governor.
Mr Adetola, who was the previous private assistant to Mr Emefiele, made the revelation on Thursday whereas giving proof earlier than an Ikeja Particular Offences Courtroom.
Mr Emefiele is standing trial for alleged abuse of workplace and $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud, whereas in workplace.
He’s being prosecuted by the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC), alongside his co-defendant, Henry Omoile.
Mr Omoile, on his half, is dealing with three-count cost bordering on illegal acceptance of presents by brokers.
On the resumed listening to, Adetola, by way of his counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), instructed the court docket that he managed workplace correspondences and guests of the governor in Lagos.
He mentioned his responsibility gave him direct entry to Mr Emefiele.
Mr Adetola mentioned someday in February 2023, he obtained an invitation from EFCC and was interviewed on his relationship with Emefiele.
He mentioned, “I made a voluntary assertion at EFCC workplace.
“In 2018, Mr Eric Odoh, the non-public assistant to the governor in Abuja, despatched a message to me that I ought to go and meet John Ayoh, the previous director of ICT division to gather $400,000 and provides it to the governor.
“I went to Mr Ayoh’s home in Lekki and he gave me the envelope.
“I got here again to the workplace and gave the envelope to the governor.”
Mr Adetola additional instructed the court docket that he knowledgeable EFCC in regards to the cash throughout his interrogation.
The witness, additionally confirmed that he communicated with Emefiele by way of phone, electronic mail, workplace line and verbal communication each time he was round.
He additionally confirmed to the court docket that he knew one George and Okanta who had been Emefiele’s youthful brothers and the governor’s spouse, Margaret, by advantage of his relationship together with his boss.
Mr Adetola additionally confirmed to the court docket that Omoile (his co-defendant) lived in Emefiele’s home in Lagos.
The witness additionally recognized bundles of paperwork which had been official communication between him and the ex-governor.
He additionally recognized paperwork exhibiting his communication with Ayoh (former director of ICT division) and Odoh (private assistant to the governor in Abuja).
The prosecution sought to tender the bundles of paperwork for identification function.
Mr Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) didn’t object.
However Omoile’s counsel, Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), objected and argued that the paperwork had no foundation in regulation.
Based on Mr Kotoye, a doc not tendered as an exhibit, shouldn’t be tendered in any respect.
Mr Oyedepo, in his response, argued that the paperwork had been related and would show important substances of the offences.
“The paperwork are for the aim of identification,” he mentioned.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, admitted the bundles of paperwork for identification function, after contemplating the events submissions.
Mr Oshodi adjourned the case till Dec. 10 for cross-examination of the witness.NAN
