Rita Odafe
Godwin Emefiele
On November 28, John Adetola, a witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), testified at the Lagos Special Offences Court about handing over $400,000 to former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele.
Adetola, who worked as Emefiele’s executive assistant, shared details of the event in front of Justice Rahman Oshodi during the ongoing trial regarding Emefiele and his associate, Henry Omoile. They face 26 counts related to misuse of power and fraud totaling $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.
Called as the seventh prosecution witness by EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Adetola explained that he was brought back from his new assignment in Ekiti State for this matter.
He recounted, “In 2018, I received a WhatsApp message from Mr. Eric Odoh instructing me to collect $400,000 from John Ayoh and return it to the former CBN Governor when he was in Lagos.”
Adetola went on to explain how he picked up the cash from Ayoh’s residence in Lekki and subsequently delivered it to Emefiele.
Detailing his duties as executive assistant, he said his responsibilities included managing the office’s communications and receiving visitors. Adetola began his career at Veritas Registrars (formerly Zenith Registrars) in 2007 and joined CBN in June 2014. He further noted his prior acquaintance with Emefiele, who was then the Managing Director of Zenith Bank.
Adetola stated that he communicated with Emefiele via phone, email, and face-to-face interactions. When asked about Emefiele’s relatives, he named Emefiele’s brothers and wife, Mrs. Margaret Emefiele, as well as co-defendant Henry Omoile.
Reflecting on his engagement with the EFCC, Adetola shared, “I was invited by the EFCC in February 2023, where I voluntarily provided statements at their Lagos office.”
On his relationship with John Ayoh, Adetola confirmed, “Yes, we worked together; he was the former Director of the ICT.” He also mentioned that the EFCC had investigated his phone and asked about several documents sourced from it.
Reiterating the earlier statement about the $400,000, Adetola clarified, “In 2018, I was told to collect $400,000 from John Ayoh and deliver it to the former CBN Governor.”
The prosecution sought to present documents as evidence during the session, but defense attorneys Olalekan Ojo (SAN) and Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN) raised objections. Justice Oshodi overruled their claims and accepted the documents, which included official communications via WhatsApp linked to Emefiele.
The case has been adjourned for further proceedings.
