In an ongoing trial at the Ikeja Special Offences Court, a startling revelation emerged as John Ayoh, a former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Director of Information and Technology, testified that he received a hefty sum of $600,000. The money allegedly came from two contractors, purportedly on behalf of the ex-CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
This disclosure surfaced during a cross-examination session led by Olalekan Ojo SAN, the counsel representing Emefiele, who faces charges of abuse of office and involvement in a multi-billion-dollar fraud. Emefiele, the primary defendant, had previously contested the court’s jurisdiction to try him. His legal team, led by Ojo, filed a motion challenging the court’s constitutional jurisdiction to hear the charges against him, a crucial component of the defense’s strategy to dismiss the charges.
During the session, Ayoh emphasized the importance of considering jurisdictional objections, stating: “There is need to consider jurisdictional objection before allowing this case.
“This defendant ought not to be arraigned before this court on constitutional grounds. We are saying that charges against the first defendant are unconstitutional.
“I urge your lordship to toe the path of legality and constitutionality to determine this application.”
Responding to the defense’s arguments, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), representing the EFCC, urged the court to prioritize legality and constitutionality.
He argued, “It is illegal and unconstitutional for this court to prevent the trial of this case or refer trial of the case on the basis of objection challenging the particulars of information under cloth of unconstitutionality.”
Citing Section 1 of ACJA, he said the intention of the defence was to prevent, or delay conduct of criminal trial.
“It is in that context that section 374 of ACJA was enacted,” he said.
In a pivotal ruling, Justice Oshodi deferred judgment on the jurisdictional matter, while also decreeing that the first–eighth defendants would henceforth give evidence in public view.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Oshodi held: “This application to have trial in camera is now struck out having been withdrawn. The matter is now to be conducted in the full public glare.”
This ruling followed the withdrawal of an earlier application by Oyedepo regarding the arraignment of Emefiele.
Subsequently, Ayoh, the second Prosecution Witness (PW2), disclosed that he did not work directly under Emefiele but reported to a former Deputy Governor of CBN, Adebayo Adelabu. Ayoh recounted receiving the sum of $400,000 in an envelope delivered to his residence in Lekki.