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In a dramatic twist at the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, a key witness presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged Mr. Emefiele demanded bribes from contractors.
Mr. John Ikechukwu Ayoh, a former Director of Procurement and Support Services at the CBN, claimed he collected a total of $600,000 in bribes on Mr. Emefiele’s behalf. The money, he said, was paid in two installments – $400,000 and $200,000 – by contractors seeking approval for projects.
Witness Claims Pressure and Pattern
Mr. Ayoh, who worked with Mr. Emefiele between 2014 and 2019, testified that he felt pressured to collect the bribes. He stated Mr. Emefiele typically sent his personal assistant, John Adetona, to gather the money from contractors.
“I did admit in my statement that I was forced to commit the crime,” Mr. Ayoh told the court. “I can’t recall the exact wording, but I said there was tremendous pressure to bend the rules.”
He further implicated a former Deputy Governor of CBN, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu (current Minister of Power), under whom he worked.
Details of the Alleged Bribes
Mr. Ayoh described how he received both cash payments and claimed the first $400,000 was delivered to his home in Lekki Phase 1. The second transaction, according to his testimony, occurred at the CBN Lagos headquarters.
“The cash was meant as gratification to the governor for awarding the contracts,” Mr. Ayoh asserted. “He (Emefiele) requested it. He wouldn’t approve the contracts without receiving something in return.”
Emefiele Faces Multiple Charges
Mr. Emefiele is currently facing a 26-count charge at the Lagos High Court. The accusations range from abuse of office and bribery to irregular allocation of foreign exchange. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Previous Allegations of Improper Conduct
This latest development comes after Mr. Emefiele faced accusations in December 2023 of acquiring banks through proxies. Additionally, an EFCC witness in March 2024 claimed a document Mr. Emefiele used to request $6.2 million for foreign election observers was forged.
The trial is ongoing, with Mr. Emefiele maintaining his innocence.
