John Ikechukwu Ayoh, a former director at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has leveled serious allegations against the embattled former governor of the apex bank, Godwin Emefiele. Ayoh made these claims while testifying in an ongoing case of abuse of office at the Lagos High Court on Monday, April 29.
Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, are currently facing trial on a 26-count charge, to which they have pleaded not guilty. At the court hearing on Monday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented Ayoh as the 2nd witness in the case against Emefiele.
Ayoh stated that he worked at the apex bank from June 2014 to April 2019, noting that he did not work directly under Emefiele but reported to Adebayo Adelabu, a former deputy governor of CBN. He revealed that he served as the head of procurement and support services (PSS) at the apex bank, responsible for receiving bids and selecting successful bidders.
The former CBN director alleged that he collected money from contractors as gratification for awarding contracts to them based on instructions from Emefiele. According to Ayoh, Emefiele’s personal assistant, John Adetona, would often collect kickbacks from contractors on behalf of Emefiele.
Ayoh disclosed that he received $400,000 and $200,000 in cash from contractors on two separate occasions, which he handed over to Emefiele’s PA. He mentioned that the first transaction took place at his residence in Lekki phase one, while the second occurred at the CBN head office in Lagos.
Under cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo, Ayoh admitted to feeling pressured by Emefiele to accept gratifications. He clarified that he was under duress from Emefiele, who exerted significant pressure to bend the rules.
Responding to questions about the purpose of the money, Ayoh acknowledged that it was intended as gratification for Emefiele to approve contracts. He emphasized that Emefiele requested the kickbacks and would not approve contracts without them.
Regarding his encounter with the EFCC, Ayoh stated that he was invited by the anti-graft agency and subsequently granted bail. Emefiele’s counsel suggested that Ayoh might have cooperated with the EFCC to avoid being charged, insinuating a motive behind his testimony against Emefiele.
After the cross-examination, Emefiele’s counsel requested a fresh interim bail for the former CBN governor, as the initial bail had expired. The presiding judge granted the request, ordering Emefiele’s counsel to provide an affidavit to ensure Emefiele’s appearance on the next adjourned date.
