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Emefiele trial: Ex-CBN director, contractor reveal more ‘secrets’
Emefiele trial: Ex-CBN director, contractor reveal more ‘secrets’
The trial of the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, over abuse of office and alleged fraud continued on Thursday in Lagos.
Apart from abuse of office, Emefiele was slammed with alleged $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC tendered a huge of documents before the court through the third prosecution witness, a Compliance Officer with the Zenith Bank, Mr Clement Ngolu, as presented by the agency’s counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
The documents were admitted into evidence following no objections from the first defence counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), and the second defence counsel, Mr Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN).
Justice Rahman Oshodi admitted the original copies of Zenith Bank account opening package, statement of account of Limelight Multidimensional Services Ltd., sent to the EFCC into evidence.
“I have read the documents dated March 2024, and I admit the original certified copy of the bundles of documents which include account opening package, statement of accounts into evidence and are marked as Exhibit A,” Oshodi said.
Ngolu, in his evidence, said his department responded to regulators and law enforcement agencies in order to ensure that the bank activities were in line with banking policies and regulations.
He added that his department worked with agencies such as the EFCC, the Nigeria Police, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
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The witness said that his department in 2014 got a request from the EFCC to furnish them with statements of accounts of Limelight and two other accounts.
“The documents we sent to the EFCC was duly signed by the staff of the bank.
“The process of generating the statement was through our computer system which was in good condition.
“The documents were printed out from the company’s computer which was working well and the documents were in the bank’s custody,” the witness said.
The defence, however, said they had no question for the witness.
Also, a former Director of Information Technology of CBN, Mr John Ayoh, in the continuation of his cross-examination, said he had a confrontation with Emefiele because he asked him to do something wrong.
The witness who further confirmed that he was sidelined by the embattled governor added that his being sidelined made him not to have any relationship with him.
“I was not happy being unpopular with the former CBN governor but on a number of occasions, I signed contract letters to vendors.
“While I was a director with the CBN, my loyalty was to the bank and the Nigerian nation and my relationship with Emefiele was only formal and based on instructions.
“The governor and the four deputy governors of the bank alongside the directors make up the management of the CBN,” he said.
The fourth witness, a contractor, in his evidence , testified before the court how he was allegedly pressurised by the apex bank management to pay $600,000 for the contract which he had executed.
NAN reports that Ayoh had on April 29 narrated before the court how he allegedly collected $600,000 for contract gratification for Emefiele.
The EFCC had on April 8 arraigned Emefiele on 23 counts bordering on abuse of office, accepting gratifications, corrupt demand, receiving property fraudulently obtained and conferring corrupt advantage.
Also, his co-defendant was arraigned on three counts bordering on acceptance of gift by agents
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The judge adjourned the case until May 17.
Emefiele trial: Ex-CBN director, contractor reveal more ‘secrets’
News
CBN in U-turn withdraws cybersecurity levy
CBN in U-turn withdraws cybersecurity levy
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has withdrawn the circular it issued to all commercial banks on May 6, 2024, directing them to implement a compulsory withdrawal of 0.05 per cent from every electronic transaction as cybersecurity levy.
The controversial directive for collection of the levy had attracted nationwide condemnation when the central bank introduced the policy last week, prompting the Presidency to immediately suspend the implementation of the Cybersecurity Levy.
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In a withdrawal circular that was issued by the CBN on Sunday night, it directed the banks not to go ahead with the initial directive, in line with the presidential directive. The apex bank authorities claimed it’s a sign that the present administration was a listening one that prioritises public good.
“Further to this, please be advised that the above referenced circular is hereby withdrawn,” CBN director in charge of payments system, Chibuzo Efobi, and the director, financial policy and regulation, Haruna Mustapha, said in the circular, adding that all banks should “Please be guided accordingly.”
CBN in U-turn withdraws cybersecurity levy
News
Minimum Wage: Labour returns for negotiation with FG Tuesday, looks beyond N100,000
Minimum Wage: Labour returns for negotiation with FG Tuesday, looks beyond N100,000
The oganised labour says it will honour the invitation by the Federal Government for Tuesday, May 21, 2024 to continue the negotiation for a new minimum wage.
Even as it has announced readiness to back down on its earlier N615,000 proposal, it vowed not to accept N100,000 as the new minimum wage.
The organised labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, pulled out of the negotiation meeting last Wednesday when the government offered N48,000 as new minimum wage.
However, Chairman of the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage, Alhaji Bukar Goni, in a letter to the organised labour calling a meeting to be held tomorrow, indicated interest that the government would shift ground and asked the labour to do so too.
A report by Vanguard quoted the NLC Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, as saying the organised labour would honour the invitation tomorrow but advised the government to be serious.
He said, “Our expectations are that government should be serious this time around. We expect them to take more seriously the issue of wages of workers.”
‘’So if the government is serious, it should not be thinking about N100,000. You know that when you create poor citizens, you create a poorer county,” he added.
News
I’ve never taken bribe since joining police in 2005 – Force PRO Adejobi
I’ve never taken bribe since joining police in 2005 – Force PRO Adejobi
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has boasted that he has never for once accepted a bribe of any kind since he started active service as a police officer.
Adejobi, who is an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), made this revelation in a post on his verified X account on Sunday.
The Force PRO, while responding to a netizen who asked if he had ever taken bribes before, said accepting bribes is a taboo for him as a royal prince.
According to him, accepting a bribe is not just ungodly but also affects someone somewhere anytime it is taken.
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He noted that the essence of life is to put smiles on the faces of others and not to be the source of their tears.
He further revealed that he has taken it upon himself to preach against accepting bribery to his fellow police officers and other people around him.
He wrote, “No. It’s a taboo for a royal prince to take a bribe. Taking bribe definitely makes someone somewhere cry for many reasons, and it’s ungodly to do so. Your main purpose in life is to put smiles on people’s faces. It’s Godly and rewarding. It’s my personal principle and a call to duty. I preach this to my colleagues and many others always. May we have the grace to remain steadfast and purposeful in life.”
Adejobi, who is a prince from Orile-Owu Community in Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State, was reappointed as the Force PRO by the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, in August 2023.
I’ve never taken bribe since joining police in 2005 – Force PRO Adejobi
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