Alleged contract fraud: 'We worked with documentary evidence,' witness tells court
From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja An investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), David Jaiyeoba, told a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday that some
From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja
An investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), David Jaiyeoba, told a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday that some members of the team that investigated former Central Ban Governor, Godwin Emefiele did not meet him in person.
Emefiele being prosecuted by the EFCC on a 20-count amended charge, marked
FCT/HC/CR/577/2023 in which he charged with offences bordering on allegations or criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence while serving as CBN governor.
Emefiele was, among others, alleged to have knowingly obtained by false pretence the sum of $6,230,000 purportedly meant for international election observers for the 2023 general election.
Emefiele is also accused of conferring corrupt advantages on two companies—April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.
Jaiyeoba, the prosecution's twelfth witness (PW12), who was cross-examined by defence lawyer, Matthew Burkaa (SAN) said he did not personally interview the defendant, but that his team did.
He said EFCC’s findings were based on documents and statements of suspects who were arrested during the course of the investigation, the witness said.
On where he spoke about a company associated with Emefiele, the witness said, “My evidence never mentioned April 1616. However, the defendant is not a signatory to the account of April 1616. I cannot remember if he is a director or shareholder.”
He stated that Emefiele was not a signatory, director and shareholder in Archiketon Nigeria Limited.
Jaiyeoba said: "The EFCC’s findings on the renovation relied on statements provided by the company’s director.
The witness added that he was aware of the committee in the CBN that vets and handles the binding process of contracts, but could not recall the name.
He said that he did not interview the officers involved. “My team did, but personally, I was not part of that interview because the team had to be divided.
"One operated within Lagos while the others operated in Abuja. The Abuja team interacted with these officials due to proximity and distance.”
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When asked if Emeifele was a member of the Major Contract Tender Committee that handled the procurement process, he replied: “I cannot remember.”
When asked if he understood the CBN’s procurement process, the witness insisted that he was familiar with the process.
On who was responsible, in the CBA, for ensuring the qualification of a company for a contract award, the witness said: “I am not a staff of the CBN, so I would not know.”
On whether he was aware that the Court of Appeal reversed the forfeiture order on the properties, following which he was shown then said Court of Appeal judgment, Jaiyeoba said he just saw the judgment for the first time.
The witness while Emefiele contested the forfeiture order, he did not claim the$2 million, which was part of the items listed for forfeiture, as his property.
He confirmed that in June 2025, the Court of Appeal in Lagos overturned the forfeiture order issued by a High Court in Lagos and directed that the case be heard afresh.
On whether the prosecuting agency was bound by the order of the Court of Appeal, Jaiyeoba said yes.
The witness deni d knowledge if the statementa by the defendant were made after the charge was filed.
Justice Hamza Muazu shifted further hearing till March 17.
