Court Accepts WhatsApp Messages Detailing $400,000 Transaction As Evidence In Emefiele’s Trial Over Defense Protests

Adetola, who is the seventh prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of the former CBN boss, told Justice Rahman Oshodi that he collected the money on behalf of Emefiele from a former Director of Information Technology (IT) at the CBN, John Ayoh.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Emefiele and one Herry Omoile before the court on a 26-count charge for accepting gratification, accepting gifts through agents, corruption, and fraudulent property receipt.

He was also accused of conferring corrupt advantage on his associates contrary to the Corrupt Practices Act 2000.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Adetola, while being led in evidence by the EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), claimed that he was instructed by a former Personal Assistant to Emefiele, Eric Odoh Ocheme to collect the money from Ayoh for his boss.

NAIJAONPOINT testified, “In 2018, I cannot recall the exact date, Mr Eric Odoh Ocheme sent me a message on WhatsApp instructing me to collect $400,000 from John Ayoh and deliver it to the former CBN Governor when he arrived in Lagos.

“I went to John Ayoh’s house in Lekki, Lagos. He handed me an envelope, and I returned to the office to give it to the former CBN Governor,” he added.

Adetola explained that his responsibilities as Executive Assistant included managing office correspondences, attending to visitors, and other tasks assigned by his boss.

“I joined the CBN in June 2014, but before that, I worked with Veritas Registrars, formerly Zenith Registrars, from 2007,” he said.

When asked about his communication methods with Emefiele, Adetola responded, “I communicate with the former CBN Governor through telephone, office line, email, and verbal communication.”

He mentioned some of Emefiele’s family members, stating, “I know Mr George and Mr Okanta; they are Mr Emefiele’s brothers. I also know his wife, Mrs. Margaret Emefiele, and the second defendant, Henry Omoile.”

Adetola recounted how he was invited by the EFCC, explaining, “In February 2023, I received an invitation from the EFCC to come to their office. They interviewed me, and I voluntarily made a statement based on our discussion.”

When asked whether he interacted with John Ayoh during his duties, he said, “Yes, we worked together; John Ayoh was the former Director of ICT.”

Adetola also informed the court that the EFCC had accessed his phone, which contained office documents printed for questioning.

After confirming the contents of the documents presented to him, Oyedepo sought permission from the court to tender the bundle of documents.

But Emefiele’s lawyer, Olaleko Ojo (SAN), objected to the admissibility of the documents. “I object on the grounds of substantial compliance.”

He submitted that NAIJAONPOINT did not claim responsibility for printing the documents, noting that the identification had a name, Idi Musa, which was not that of NAIJAONPOINT .

Counsel for the second defendant, Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), also objected, asserting that the prosecuting counsel failed to reference any legal provision.

Responding to the objections, Oyedepo insisted on tendering the documents for identification purposes and asked NAIJAONPOINT to describe their contents.