EFCC Witness Admits He Willingly Gave Bribe to CBN Director Not Emefiele

Funke Olaode

Following the continuation of the cross examination by the Counsel to the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN), a witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Victor Onyejiuwa, admitted that he willingly gave bribe to John Ayoh, a Director at the central bank and not Emefiele.

Onyejiuwa, said he did so knowing fully that it was in breach of the laws of Nigeria.

The witness was also asked if he knew the implications of telling lies to the court, and he responded that he knew the implications.

He confirmed that he received invitation from Ayoh, to come along with him to EFCC to provide details about the money he paid to Ayoh in 2018.

He also said he paid Ayoh because he wanted to be paid his money after completing the contract, admitting further upon cross examination that after receiving his payment in December 2018 , he could have reported the act of bribery to the Police , the EFCC and ICPC.

He admitted that although he knew he could have reported the act to the law enforcement agencies, he did not report the action to the enforcement agencies. Rather, he chose to join Ayoh at the EFCC in May, 2024, to report the bribe.

Onyejuiwa was asked by Ojo if he wrote in his witness statement that the management of the CBN he referred to as demanding the bribe was Emefiele and his response was “no.”

Ojo, also asked Onyejiuwa whether he wrote any letter to the CBN demanding the payment of contracts proceeds for jobs done complaining about the delay in payment.

In response to Ojo, he confirmed that he only interacted with Ayoh and all contracts awarded were signed by Ayoh. Asked if Emefiele directly requested for money from him, his once more said “no,” saying that in the course of the transactions with the CBN, he did not at any time meet or spoke with Emefiele.

Asked whether he executed more jobs at the CBN after Ayoh retired from CBN , the witness said he executed more jobs at the CBN and was paid in due time without any demand for gratification from anyone at the central bank even though Emefiele was still the Governor of the apex bank.

Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Special Offences Court had granted request of the defence to recall the first prosecution witness, Monday Osazuwa in the alleged abuse of office suit.

When the case was called, the counsel to Emefiele’s co-defendant, Mr Kazeem Gbadamosi (SAN) notified the court of a motion on notice dated May 6 and sought the indulgence of the court to recall Osazuwa.

Oshodi, granted the application of Gbadamosi to recall the witness, following no objections from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).

He said: “In the motion on notice dated May 6 and filed on May 7, the second defence counsel seeks an order to recall the first prosecution witness (PW1).

“The second defence counsel seeks to further cross-examine PWI on matters listed in paragraph 4 D on the affidavit in support of the application.

“The recall was also premised on nine grounds and the six paragraph affidavits was filed in support of the application and equally is a written address filed on May 7. The prosecution did not file a rebuttal and I hereby grant the application.”