Admin I Friday, May 10, 2024
LAGOS, Nigeria – A witness presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, who worked with the Central Bank, CBN, Mr. John Ayoh on Thursday testified in the ongoing trial of the suspended Governor of CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele for abusing his office to the tune of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion, unfolding how he fell out of favour with the former CBN chief.
Ayoh, who was Director of Information Communications Technology, ICT unit in CBN told the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja that he fell out of favour with his former boss when he refused Emefiele’s illegal request.
John Ayoh, testified under cross-examination, that he had a confrontation with Emefiele because he had asked him to do something wrong.
The witness who further confirmed that he was sidelined by the embattled governor added that his being sidelined made him not to have any relationship with him.
“I was not happy being unpopular with the former CBN governor but on a number of occasions, I signed contract letters to vendors.
“While I was a director with the CBN, my loyalty was to the bank and the Nigerian nation and my relationship with Emefiele was only formal and based on instructions.
“The governor and the four deputy governors of the bank alongside the directors makes up the management of the CBN”, he said.
The fourth witness, a contractor, in his evidence alleged that he was pressurized by the management of CBN to pay the sum $600,000 for contract which he had executed.
Ayoh had on April 29 narrated before the court how Ayoh he how he collected $600,000 allegedly for contract gratification for the embattled ex-apex bank governor.
EFCC had on April 8 arraigned Emefiele on a 23-count charge bordering on abuse of office, accepting gratifications, corrupt demand, receiving property fraudulently obtained and conferring corrupt advantage, while his co-defendant was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on acceptance of gift by agents.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned the case until May 17 for the continuation of trial.
