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How ‘I collected $400k on behalf of Emefiele’ – Witness tells court
The 7th Prosecution witness, Mr John Adetola, testifying in the case against the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele has alleged that he collected the sum of $400,000 on behalf of Emefiele.
Adetola, who identified himself as an Executive Assistant to Emefiele, also disclosed how he handed over the money to his boss, Emefiele.
He gave the testimony on Thursday while answering questions from the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
He told the trial judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi that the functions of his office includes managing office correspondences, attending to visitors and any other tasks as assigned by his boss.
He said these duties gave him direct access to Emefiele.
On the $400,000, Adetola testified that he was summoned from Ekiti, his new posting place to go pick up the money.
“In 2018, I can’t remember the date, the personal assistant to the CBN Gov in Abuja, Mr Eric Odoh sent me a message on WhatsApp that I should go and collect $400,000 from John Ayoh, the former director of ICT Dept. and give same to the former CBN Governor when he came to Lagos.
“I went to the house of John Ayoh at Lekki in Lagos. He gave me an envelope and I came back to the office, I gave it to the former CBN Governor,” he said
He said he communicated with Emefiele, mentioning some of Emefiele’s family members.
“I communicate with the former CBN Governor through telephone, office line, email and verbal communication.
“I know Mr. George, I know Mr Okanta. They are Mr Emefiele’s brothers. I know his wife, Mrs Margaret Emefiele. I also know the second defendant, Henry Omoile, he lived in Emefiele’s house in Lagos,” he added.
Adetola also told the court that the EFCC accessed his phone which had some office documents and he was questioned on them, after which they printed the documents.
He identified some of the documents showing his communication with John Ayoh and Odoh, stressing that he endorsed the documents as being printed from his mobile phone.
The EFCC prosecutor, Mr Oyedepo thereafter sought the permission of the court to tender the bundle of documents.
The counsel to Emefiele, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olaleko Ojo, raised objections to the admissibility of the documents but withdrew his objections when the counsel insisted that it was merely for identification purposes.
Counsel representing Emefiele’s co-defendant, Henry Omoile, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adeyinka Kotoye, however, maintained his objections to the admissibility of the documents stating that the documents had no basis in law.
In his response, Oyedepo insisted that the documents were relevant and would prove essential ingredients of the offence.
He insisted on tendering it for the purpose of identification.
After considering all the submissions, Justice Oshodi admitted the documents and marked it as for the purpose of identification.
He adjourned the case till December 10 for the cross examination of the witness.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fixed its first National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting following the reopening of its national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, after months of closure.
The meeting is scheduled to hold at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.
This comes days after security operatives unsealed the premises, which had been under lock since late last year due to internal leadership disputes.
The development marks a fresh step in the party’s attempt to stabilise its structure after a prolonged crisis. Party officials say the meeting will focus on restoring order and addressing lingering issues affecting the PDP’s leadership.
The secretariat had been sealed in November after a violent confrontation between two rival factions. One group was loyal to the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee. The other faction was headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed, who led a caretaker committee. Both sides had laid claim to the party’s leadership, leading to chaos at the headquarters.
The crisis deepened after a court ruling earlier this year. The Appeal Court nullified the Ibadan convention that brought in the Turaki-led leadership. That judgment shifted momentum to the Mohammed-led group.
Backed by key political figures, the Mohammed faction moved quickly. They relied on the court decision to organise a fresh convention in Abuja. That exercise further strengthened their hold on the party’s structure.
Sources within the party say today’s NEC meeting will largely be attended by loyalists of the Mohammed-led leadership. Among those expected are the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Also expected are former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Party insiders say the presence of these figures signals a strong show of unity from the faction currently in control. Discussions at the meeting are expected to cover reconciliation, restructuring, and preparations for future political engagements.
There are also indications that the NEC may set up committees to address grievances within the party. Some members are pushing for a broader peace process to bring back aggrieved stakeholders.
Terrorists have killed three soldiers in a fresh attack on a military camp in Kemanji community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The attack reportedly occurred in the early hours of Monday, with residents saying heavy gunfire echoed across the area during the invasion.
According to local sources, the assailants, suspected to be armed terrorists, stormed the military camp without warning and engaged troops in a fierce gun battle.
The confrontation left three soldiers dead, while other personnel were said to have responded with a reprisal attack to repel the assailants.
One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the incident as sudden and violent, noting that the attackers took advantage of the early morning hours when some soldiers were asleep.
“Kemanji is a border community close to thick forest areas.
“Few of the soldiers were asleep around 3am when the terrorists invaded their camp and killed three of them before others responded,” the source said. (The Sun)
Prominent activist, Aisha Yesufu, has expressed concern over the ongoing teachers’ strike in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), calling on the minister, Nyesom Wike, to urgently intervene and resolve the crisis.
In a statement on Monday, Yesufu lamented the prolonged closure of public primary schools across the FCT, noting that the situation continues to disrupt the education of thousands of children.
She stressed that education remains a fundamental right and should not be treated with negligence, urging authorities to prioritise the welfare of both teachers and students.
“The continuous strike by teachers in the FCT is unacceptable. Our children cannot keep paying the price for unresolved issues,” she said.
The activist appealed directly to Wike to take decisive steps towards addressing the grievances of the striking teachers, including issues surrounding unpaid salaries and poor working conditions.
According to her, swift intervention by the FCT administration would not only restore academic activities but also rebuild confidence in the public education system.
The strike, which has lingered for weeks, has left many pupils at home, raising concerns among parents over the long term impact on learning.
PDP Holds First NEC Meeting After Police Reopen National Secretariat
Just in: Terrorists invade military camp, k!ll three soldiers in Kwara
Aisha Yesufu faults FCT teachers’ strike, wants Wike to intervene
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