Emefiele Trial: Witness Denies Striking Deal with EFCC To Avoid Prosecution

BY MICHAEL AKINOLA 

The seventh prosecution witness, John Adetola, Monday denied before Justice Rahman Oshodi at the Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja, that he entered into any agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to testify against former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele in exchange for immunity from prosecution.

Adetola, an executive assistant to Emefiele, is a key witness in the ongoing trial of Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, who face 19 counts of abuse of office and fraud involving approximately $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.

Testifying in court, Adetola maintained that he never showed EFCC operatives any WhatsApp chats or phone records in which he allegedly informed Emefiele about collecting $400,000 on his behalf.

He had previously testified that he physically handed $400,000 to Emefiele.

Under questioning by EFCC lead prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Adetola explained that in 2018, he received a WhatsApp message from Eric Odoh instructing him to collect the cash from John Ayoh’s residence in Lekki and deliver it to Emefiele in Lagos.

He confirmed that he collected the money and delivered it as instructed.

However, during cross-examination by Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), Adetola admitted he kept no records of the $400,000 transaction and confirmed he was not facing prosecution in relation to it.

He also acknowledged that in his statements to the EFCC, he never mentioned any WhatsApp or phone conversations with Emefiele about the funds.

Adetola denied striking any deal with the EFCC to avoid prosecution, saying the EFCC only confronted him with WhatsApp messages related to the funds.

He further testified that he holds a Higher National Diploma in Secretarial Studies and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management. As Emefiele’s executive assistant, he managed the Governor’s secretariat, handled correspondence, and reported directly to him.

Adetola also told the court he was detained by the EFCC for eleven days, during which he cooperated fully with the investigation but was never brought face-to-face with either Emefiele or John Ayoh regarding the $400,000.

When cross-examined by Yinka Kotoye (SAN), counsel for the co-defendant Omoile, Adetola stated he had no dealings with Omoile regarding the funds.

During re-examination, EFCC’s Oyedepo asked why Adetola did not document the $400,000 transaction.

Adetola replied that he “did not see any need for it.”

Justice Oshodi subsequently discharged the witness and adjourned the trial to Tuesday for continuation.