Victor Onyejiuwa, a key witness in the trial involving the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, provided insights during proceedings at the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja regarding a $600,000 bribe allegedly paid to CBN staff for a contract.
On Friday, Onyejiuwa, who serves as the Managing Director of Resource Computer Limited, testified that he had no direct dealings with Emefiele. Instead, he claimed that he was instructed to pay the $600,000 bribe to the former CBN Director of Information Technology, John Ayoh, as a precondition for receiving payment for a contract executed for the apex bank. According to Onyejiuwa, all communication regarding the bribe was conducted through WhatsApp, and he made two payments totaling $600,000, with the first installment paid in Lagos and the second in Abuja.
The witness clarified that he received no authorization from CBN management to pay a bribe for the contract awarded to his company. He provided his testimony in the ongoing trial of Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, who face charges related to abuse of office and alleged fraud amounting to $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
Under cross-examination by Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), Onyejiuwa stated that Ayoh signed the contract award and completion documents. He disclosed that contracts worth N1.3 billion and $2.1 million were awarded to his company, emphasizing that subsequent contracts executed after Ayoh’s departure from CBN were fulfilled while Emefiele served as the governor.
Onyejiuwa admitted to not directly communicating with CBN deputy governors to verify Ayoh’s authority to collect the bribe. He also confirmed that he did not receive any communication between Ayoh and Emefiele regarding the bribe. Additionally, Onyejiuwa acknowledged that he did not present any letter demanding a bribe to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Regarding the delivery of the money, Onyejiuwa testified that it was handed over to Ayoh in his office, with an official from the IT department signing for receipt.
Recalling previous testimony, Onyejiuwa recounted being pressured into paying the $600,000 bribe to facilitate payment for a contract. He detailed how he succumbed to pressure from a senior CBN official who warned that his payment would not be approved unless he complied with the demand.
The court adjourned the case to July 9 and 10 for the continuation of the trial, as reported by SaharaReporters.