John Ayoh, the former IT Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has disclosed that he received $600,000, allegedly as contract gratification for the beleaguered former governor of the apex bank, Godwin Emefiele.
While testifying in court on Monday, guided by the counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Ayoh revealed his eight-year tenure at the apex bank to the Ikeja Special Offences Court. He informed the court about a letter he received from the agency regarding two transactions he facilitated for Emefiele.
Ayoh, who was the Head of Procurement and Support Services (PSS) Department, stated that the first envelope, containing $400,000, was delivered to his Lekki residence. Meanwhile, the second envelope, with $200,000, was received at the CBN’s Tinubu Head Office.
He was responsible for receiving contract applications and selecting successful bidders. He received the first payment at his Lekki Phase One home, while the second payment was made at the CBN’s Tinubu Head Office.
He recalled that the individual delivering the second transaction arrived at their Lagos office. Despite informing the governor, Emefiele insisted on not involving a third party and instructed Ayoh to bring the envelope himself.
Ayoh complied and delivered it to Emefiele’s office. He sent his address to Mr. John Adeola, the governor’s assistant, who then visited his house. The total amount Ayoh received on Emefiele’s behalf was $600,000.
Ayoh informed the court that the vendors who allegedly delivered the money-filled envelopes were responsible for implementing Netapp Storage Architectural and Infrastructural Services.
During cross-examination by the first defense counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN), Ayoh clarified that his duties did not involve running errands for Emefiele, although he worked directly under him. He confirmed that Emefiele was not a PSS member but belonged to the Major Contract Tender Committee (MCTC). He also denied ever facilitating any criminal activity.
When asked if he had written in his statement that he was coerced into aiding or abetting the acceptance of gratification, Ayoh responded that he did not recall the exact wording. He did not mention in his statement that he had opened the two envelopes to verify the total sum of money.
He wrote a statement implying that the money in the envelopes was given to him to influence the contract award. He did not participate in the MCTC’s decision-making but recommended the awarding of the prize. He denied being bribed.
Ayoh was invited by the EFCC on February 17. He was not arrested and was allowed to return home on administrative bail.
He told the court that he was under duress when he received the two envelopes from the contractors. The prosecution objected to this question, arguing that the witness’s statement was not before the court.
The first defense counsel sought to admit the defendant’s statement into evidence. Following the arguments and counterarguments of the counsel, Justice Rahman Oshodi admitted the witness’s three-page statement into evidence.
The witness told the court that Emefiele’s instructions indicated that he bent the rules. The judge then adjourned the case until May 3 for the continuation of cross-examination.
Emefiele’s counsel also requested the court to release the defendant to him on self-recognition because he had not met his bail application. The learned silk, however, prayed to the court that the defendant would meet up before May 17.