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How I Collected $600,000 Alleged Bribes For Emefiele: Ex-CBN Director
The man to deliver the second transaction came to our office in Lagos, and I informed the governor, but he said he did not want to see a third party and that I should bring the envelope myself.
A former Director of Information Technology of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, John Ayoh, has explained how he collected $600,000 allegedly for contract gratification for the embattled ex-apex bank governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Ayoh, while being led in evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on Monday, told an Ikeja Special Offences Court that he spent eight years in the apex bank.
He told the court that he received a letter from the agency concerning two transactions he facilitated through Emefiele.
Ayoh, Head of Procurement and Support Services, PSS Department, told the court that the first envelope containing $400,000 was brought to his house in Lekki.
In contrast, he received the second envelope containing $200,000 at the Tinubu Head Office of the CBN.
Ayoh said he was vested with powers to receive applications for the award of contracts to select successful bidders.
According to him, the first leg of the transaction was at his residence in Lekki Phase One, while the second envelope money he received occurred at the Tinubu Head Office of the CBN.
“The man to deliver the second transaction came to our office in Lagos, and I informed the governor, but he said he did not want to see a third party and that I should bring the envelope myself.
“I complied with the instruction and delivered it to his office. Mr John Adeola was the one I sent my address to, and he came to my house. He is the governor’s assistant, and the total money I received on his behalf was $400,000 and $200,000,” he alleged.
The witness informed the court that the vendors who allegedly brought the envelopes with money were in charge of implementing Netapp Storage Architectural and Infrastructural Services.
While under cross-examination by the first defence counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), he told the court that his schedule of duties did not include running errands for Emefiele, but he directly worked under him.
Ayoh confirmed to the court that Emefiele was not a member of the PSS but a member of the Major Contract Tender Committee (MCTC).
He added that he had never facilitated the commission of any crime.
Ojo asked if the witness wrote in his statement that he was forced to aid or abet the commission of accepting gratification.
“I do not remember the exact word that I used, and I did not write in my statement that I opened the two envelopes on the two occasions to check the total sum of money.
“I wrote a statement, which implied that the money in the envelopes was given to me to influence the contract award. I did not take part in the decision of the MCTC, but I recommended that the prize be given, and I was not bribed.
“The EFCC invited me on February 17. I was not arrested, but I returned home on administrative bail”, the witness said.
The witness told the court that he operated under duress while he received the two envelopes from the contractors.
“On your honour, did you indicate in your statement that you were acting under duress while running errands for the first defendant,” the learned silk asked.
The prosecution, however, objected to the question and argued that the witness’s statement was not before the court.
The first defence counsel sought to admit the defendant’s statement into evidence.
After that, Justice Rahman Oshodi admitted the witness’s statement (three pages) into evidence, following the arguments and counterarguments of the counsel.
The witness told the court that the instructions from Emefiele indicated that he bent the rules.
The judge, after that, adjourned the case until May 3 for continuation of cross-examination.
Emefiele’s counsel also pleaded with the court to release the defendant to him on self-recognition because he had not met with his bail application.
The learned silk, however, prayed to the court that the defendant would meet up before May 17.
There were no objections from the second defence counsel, and the prosecution left the decision at the court’s discretion.
Recall that a dispatch rider had allegedly collected $3 million in cash for the embattled ex-CBN governor.
Emefiele has been under investigation since his removal as CBN boss last June by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
James Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives and founder of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG), has officially picked up the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination forms for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The forms, which include the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, were obtained on April 28, 2026, following a payment of ₦100 million. This move effectively kicks off the President’s campaign for a second term.
The APC National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Argungu, on Tuesday in Abuja, declared the process open and presented the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to Faleke, who also serves as the founder of the Tinubu Support Groups.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
The commission also announced that party primaries, including the resolution of related disputes, will run from April 23, 2026, to May 30, 2026.
INEC further stated that campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, while those for governorship and state assembly elections will commence on September 9, 2026.
More details later…
The Nigerian Naira maintained a steady yet cautious position against the US Dollar as the market opened for trading today, Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
Financial analysts are observing localised fluctuations in liquidity across both the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and the parallel market segments.
Official Market (NFEM) Activity
In the early trading hours of the official window, the Naira showed resilience, trading at approximately 1,360.19 NGN per 1 USD. This follows a trend of minor adjustments as the FMDQ Securities Exchange records ongoing transactions from institutional buyers and sellers. The rate has seen slight volatility since the market opened, moving from an initial 1,359.23 NGN to its current level as demand and supply forces seek a daily equilibrium.
The Central Bank of Nigeria continues to monitor the official window closely, ensuring that the transparency of the “willing buyer, willing seller” model supports price discovery while mitigating drastic shocks to the local currency.
Parallel Market Trends
The informal parallel market continues to operate at a premium, reflecting the immediate retail demand for the greenback. In major cities such as Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt, currency dealers are quoting the Dollar between 1,480 NGN and 1,495 NGN.
The gap between the NFEM and the parallel market remains a focal point for economic observers, as it often indicates the level of unmet demand in the official sectors. Traders in the parallel market suggest that small-scale importers and individual travelers are the primary drivers of the current activity in the informal sector this morning.
Factors Affecting Today’s Rate
Today’s market performance is being influenced by several key macroeconomic factors. Global oil prices remain a significant driver, providing the necessary foreign exchange reserves to support the Naira. Additionally, internal market liquidity is being shaped by the clearance of corporate foreign exchange backlogs and seasonal demand for international payments.
As the day progresses, participants expect the market to remain within the current range unless there is a significant intervention or a shift in global market sentiment. Stakeholders are advised to keep track of the closing rates later today to gauge the definitive performance of the Naira for the midweek trading period.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has officially endorsed his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, as his preferred successor for the 2027 governorship election.
The announcement was made on Monday, April 27, 2026, during a meeting at the Lagos House, Marina, where Hamzat formally declared his intention to run.
In the past few weeks, Hamzat has received widespread endorsement from political and community leaders across the state during his various consultative visits.
Recall that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, had expressed support for Hamzat’s governorship bid.
Also, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Senator representing Lagos East, Tokunbo Abiru; and former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and other stakeholders have endorsed Hamzat’s gubernatorial bid.
Details shortly…
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