A former Director of Information Technology of the Central Bank of Nigeria, John Ayoh, has explained how he allegedly collected $600,000 for contract gratification for suspended Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele.
He said this when he was led in evidence by the counsel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on Monday.
The former Director made the allegation before an Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos State on Monday.
He added that he spent eight years in the CBN.
He told the court that he received a letter from the agency concerning two transactions, which he facilitated through Emefiele.
Ayoh, Head of Procurement and Support Services Department, told the court that the first envelope containing $400,000 was brought to his house in Lekki, Lagos State, while he received the second envelope containing $200,000 at the Tinubu Head Office of the CBN.
He said that he was vested with powers to receive applications for award of contracts to select successful bidders.
Ayoh said: “The man to deliver the second transaction came to our office in Lagos and I informed the governor, but he said he did not want to see a third party that I should bring the envelope myself.
“I complied with the instruction and went to his office and delivered it.
“Mr. John Adeola was the one I sent my address to and he came to my house.
“He is the governor’s assistant and the total money I received on his behalf was $400,000 and $200,000 respectively.”
The witness informed the court that the vendors who allegedly brought the envelopes with money were in charge of the implementation of Netapp Storage Architectural and Infrastructural Services.
While under cross-examination by the first defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), Ayoh told the court that his schedule of duties did not include running errands for Emefiele, but he directly worked under him.
He told the court that Emefiele was not a member of the PSS, but a member of the Major Contract Tender Committee.
He added that he had never facilitated the commission of any crime.
Ojo asked if the witness wrote in his statement that he was forced to aid or abet the commission of accepting gratification.
The witness said: “I do not remember the exact word that I used and I did not write in my statement that I opened the two envelopes on the two occasions to check the total sum of money.
“I wrote a statement and it implied that the money in the envelopes was given to me to influence the award of the contract.
“I did not take part in the decision of the MCTC, but I recommended that the award be given and I was not bribed.
“I was invited by the EFCC on February 17.
“I was not arrested, but I returned home on administrative bail.”
The witness told the court that he operated under duress when he received the two envelopes from the contractors.
“On your honour, did you indicate in your statement that you were acting under duress while running errands for the first defendant,” the learned silk asked.
The prosecution, however, objected to the question and argued that the statement of the witness was not before the court.
The first defence counsel sought that the statement of the defendant be admitted into evidence.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, thereafter, admitted the statement of the witness (three pages) into evidence, following arguments and counter arguments of the counsel.
The Senior Advocate reiterated that the witness showed to the court where it was written in his statement that he acted under duress.
The witness told the court that the instructions from Emefiele indicated that he bent rules.
The judge, thereafter, adjourned the case until May 3 for continuation of cross-examination.
Emefiele’s counsel also pleaded with the court to release the defendant to him on self-recognition because he had not met with his bail application.
The learned silk, however, prayed the court that the defendant would meet up before May 17.
There were no objections from the second defence counsel and the prosecution left the decision at the discretion of the court.