John Ayoh, a former Director of Information Technology at the Central Bank of Nigeria, disclosed how he obtained $600,000 allegedly for contract gratification on behalf of the former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Appearing in court led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Ayoh shared his experiences during his eight-year tenure at the apex bank.
As Head of Procurement and Support Services (PSS Department), Ayoh detailed receiving two transactions facilitated through Emefiele, one at his residence in Lekki and the other at the Tinubu Head Office of the CBN.
Speaking about the transactions, Ayoh mentioned that he was authorized to receive contract applications and select successful bidders. He recounted delivering the second envelope of money to Emefiele’s office as instructed.
According to Ayoh, the vendors responsible for delivering the envelopes were involved in implementing Netapp Storage Architectural and Infrastructural Services.
During cross-examination by the defense counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), Ayoh clarified that while Emefiele was not a member of the PSS, he functioned directly under him as part of the Major Contract Tender Committee (MCTC).
Ayoh affirmed that he never aided or abetted any criminal activities and mentioned that he was not arrested but invited by the EFCC on February 17 and returned home on administrative bail.
The witness later admitted that he had felt pressured while receiving the cash-filled envelopes from the contractors and indicated that Emefiele’s instructions often involved bending the rules.
The case was adjourned until May 3 for further cross-examination, with Emefiele’s counsel appealing for his release on self-recognition, pending the bail application review.
Notably, an incident involving a dispatch rider collecting $3 million in cash for Emefiele has added to the ongoing investigations following his removal as CBN Governor by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu last June.