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Emefiele Collects Bribes Before Awarding Contracts, Ex-CBN Staff Testifies

Published

9 months ago

April 30, 2024

The second prosecution witness, a former Director of Information Technology of the Central Bank of Nigeria, John Ayoh, has told the Lagos High Court Sitting in Ikeja that former governor of the apex bank, Godwin Emefiele, does not award contracts without collecting bribes.

Ayoh stated this while testifying before Justice Rahman Oshodi on Monday in the ongoing trial of the former Central Bank Governor on allegations of abuse of office and accepting gratification to the tune of $4.5bn and N2.8bn.

Ayoh said, “That is how he operates, he will not award contracts without collecting anything”.

While being led in evidence by Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Rotimi Oyedepo, the witness narrated how he collected some monies on behalf of the former CBN Governor.

He said that the first money he collected was $400,000 which Emefiele’s assistant, John Adetola, came to his house in Lekki to collect for Emefiele.

Ayoh also told the court that the second money he collected for Emefiele was another $200,000 which was brought by one of the CBN contractors to the headquarters of the bank at its Tinubu Lagos Island office.

He said that the money was contained in an envelope and when the person who came to deliver the funds, one Victor was on the premises of the Bank, he (Ayoh) called the governor (Emefiele), who told him to collect the money from the vendor as he did not want to see any third party.

Ayoh said when he went into the office to deliver the package after collecting it, he saw several Bank CEOs including the late Hebert Wigwe, who were waiting outside the office of the governor to see him.

While answering questions under cross-examination from Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olalekan Ojo, who represented the former CBN Governor, the witness denied that he had ever been a party to any crime, but admitted that he had facilitated the commission of a crime unknowingly. He said, “I believe I did admit in my statement that I was forced to commit the crime.

“ I don’t know the exact word I used in my statement, but I said we were all forced with tremendous pressure to bend the rules.”

The witness also admitted that he did not write in his statement to the EFCC, that the monies were given to influence the award of contracts but added “that this is how he (Emefiele) operates. He will not award contracts without collecting anything”.

Before the witness testified, the former CBN governor had challenged the jurisdiction of the court to try him.

Emefiele submitted that he cannot be tried in the high court of any state in Nigeria for alleged acts of abuse of his office as this raises issues of constitutionality and legality.

The former CBN Governor also noted that counts 1-4 of the 26 counts charge filed by the EFCC against him are unconstitutional as they are not contained in any law in Nigeria.

His counsel asked the court to make AN ORDER to strike out the charge against him.

In his application brought pursuant to Sections 36(12), 251 AND 270 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AS AMENDED and Sections 11, 58 AND 60 OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE LAW OF LAGOS STATE, Emefiele had also submitted that the CBN is an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Federal High Court has the jurisdiction to the exclusion of other Courts in matters concerning alleged abuse of office by a public officer in a Federal Government agency.

He also stated that none of the elements of the offences he is alleged to have committed occurred or took place in Lagos State having regard to the materials in the Proof of Evidence.

Citing Sections 374 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, and Section 396 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law as well as decided authorities from the appellate courts to buttress his points, Ojo urged the judge to resolve the objection on whether the court has the jurisdiction to try the case.

On his part, the second defendant’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kazeem Gbadamosi, relied on the submissions of Ojo.

In his response, counsel to the EFCC, Oyedepo objected to the submissions of Emefiele’s counsel.

Citing decided cases of the Supreme Court, he asked trial judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, not to defer or prevent the trial of the case on the basis of objections challenging the particulars of the counts of the information.

He said, “That approach is intended to take us back to where we are coming from as these were the basis for Section 1 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA and the purpose for which Administration of Criminal Justice Law, ACJL was intended. The intention of our collective resolution as a nation was to prevent undue delay in our criminal cases.

“I urge my lord to refuse this invitation, trial has commenced, this application to prevent the trial today is unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional and I urge the court not to depart from the decision of the apex court as to do so would amount to judicial rascality.

In his Ruling, Justice Oshodi, elected to defer his decision on jurisdiction till the end of trial and when he delivers judgment.

The judge also directed EFCC to serve the defence team with the extra judicial statements of witness no 6, one John Ogah and that of another investigation officer.

The court also ruled that the totality of the EFCC’s case against Emefiele would be heard in open court, following the withdrawal of an application by the prosecution requesting a closed-session for some of its witnesses, owing to safety concerns.

Further proceedings in the matter has been adjourned till May 3, 2024, when the court will continue with the trial.

The EFCC had on April 8 arraigned Emefiele alongside his co-defendant Henry Isioma-Omoile over alleged abuse of office and allocation of $4.5bn, N2.8bn.

The defendants are being prosecuted on a 26 count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, accepting gratifications, corrupt demand, receiving property, fraudulently obtaining and conferring corrupt advantage, preferred against them by EFCC.

They both pleaded not guilty to the charge.

News

JUST IN 2025 Ramadan: Sultan Makes New Announcement For Muslims

Published

2 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, in collaboration with the National Moon Sighting Committee, has confirmed that there were no verified sightings of the crescent moon marking the beginning of Sha’aban 1446AH.

This announcement holds significant importance for Muslims in Nigeria, as Sha’aban is the last month before Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam.

Official Declaration of Sha’aban 1446AH
In a formal statement, Sambo Wali Junaidu, the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, disclosed that no credible reports of moon sightings were received from moon sighting committees across the country.

As a result, Thursday, January 30, 2025, will be observed as the 30th day of Rajab 1446AH, while Friday, January 31, 2025, has been officially declared as the first day of Sha’aban 1446AH.

Sultan of Sokoto Endorses the Decision
The declaration was formally endorsed by His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

“The confirmation of Sha’aban’s commencement is crucial, as it ensures consistency in the Islamic calendar and helps guide religious observances for Muslims across the country,” the statement emphasized.

Call for Spiritual Preparation for Ramadan
In light of this development, the Sultanate Council has advised Nigerian Muslims to adhere to official moon sighting announcements and begin spiritual preparations for Ramadan.

Sha’aban is considered a sacred month in Islam, often dedicated to increased prayers, fasting, and self-reflection in anticipation of Ramadan, which is set to begin in the coming weeks.

The Council reiterated the importance of unity and adherence to Islamic traditions, urging Muslims to take advantage of Sha’aban for spiritual purification and devotion.

News

JAMB Suspends Law Programs in Eight Universities, Including KWASU and Redeemers.

Published

2 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that it will no longer conduct admissions for the Law program in eight universities. This decision was made following the suspension of the Bachelor of Laws program by the Council of Legal Education for the 2025/2026 academic session at the affected universities.

The affected institutions are:

– *Kwara State University*, Malete, Ilorin, Kwara State

– *Bingham University*, Karu, Nasarawa State

– *Redeemers University*, Ede, Osun State

– *Western Delta University*, Oghara, Delta State

– *Taraba State University*, Jalingo, Taraba State

– *Arthur Jarvis University*, Akpabuyo, Cross River State

– *Alex Ekwueme Federal University*, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State

– *Nigerian Police Academy*, Wudil, Kano State

According to JAMB spokesman, Fabian Benjamin, the suspension of the Law programme at the Nigerian Police Academy will last for two academic sessions, specifically the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 sessions.

“As a result, JAMB will not approve any admissions for candidates seeking to enroll in the Law program at the aforementioned universities for the 2025/2026 academic session. Furthermore, the ban on registration for the Law program at the Nigerian Police Academy will extend into the 2026/2027 academic session,” the statement concluded.

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Ex-President Jacob Zuma’s daughter arrested over South Africa riots

Published

2 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, has been arrested over her alleged involvement in the 2021 riots that left over 300 people dead, police say.

Violence, chaos, and fear ripped through the port city of Durban, then spread to Gauteng, after Zuma’s jailing sparked intense protests over four years ago.

Zuma-Sambudla, a controversial figure in her own right, was accused of sharing incendiary social media posts that fuelled the civil unrest.

The arrest comes as a “result of a meticulous investigation” said spokesperson for the Hawks elite police unit, Brig Thandi Mbambo.

Zuma-Sambudla handed herself in to Durban Central police station on Thursday morning to face charges under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act and incitement to commit violence, police said.

Her father’s party uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK), of which she is a senior member, confirmed her court appearance and urged supporters to “mobilize all ground forces to attend in numbers.”

While she has not commented directly on the charges, Zuma-Sambudla shared a cryptic note on X that simply said: “We see you.”

MK party spokesperson Nhlamule Ndhela told local broadcaster ENCA she had long been preparing for this moment

“She conditioned herself, because there have been many threats about her imminent arrest for the past three or four years,” he said.

He added that she will abide by the law as “a law-abiding citizen”.

This is not the first time her name has been brought up in connection to the 2021 riots, which are considered one of the bloodiest episodes in post-apartheid South Africa.

Zuma resigned as president in 2018 after nine years in office, plagued by corruption allegations, which he claimed were part of a political conspiracy.

Three years later, he was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court after refusing to testify before a panel investigating corruption under his presidency.

Protests erupted after he surrendered to serve his sentence.

During the unrest, Zuma-Sambudla was outspoken on X, frequently sharing images of the destruction and chaos, accompanied by the caption: “KZN, we see you.”

She used this phrase often throughout the violence. In a now deleted post, she shared a video of someone firing an automatic rifle at a poster of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

In 2022, Brig Mbambo , told local media they were not directly investigating her, but she had been named in statements from sources.

In response to this, Zuma-Sambudla said on X, “I have no fear! I will not be intimidated! I have beaten the dogs, now the masters are coming out! We see you!”

At the same time, the Jacob Zuma Foundation, said in a statement the former president’s children were being targeted.

Last year, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) released a report that said the riots were a “carefully orchestrated event”.

But it said it could find no direct link to Zuma’s arrest.

In 2023, a former security guard was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in the deadly riots.

He was the first person to be prosecuted for the riots.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who succeeded Jacob Zuma in 2018, described the violence as an “attempted insurrection”.

More than 200 shopping malls were looted and more than 150,000 jobs were estimated to have been lost during the unrest, which lasted for several days.

Last year, Zuma’s MK ran against his former party, the ANC, in elections, gaining 15% of the vote to become the country’s third largest party