Connect with us

Metro News

Alleged $600k bribe: I had no contact with Emefiele… money was collected by ex-CBN official, witness tells court

Published

on

 

 

Victor Onyejiuwa, managing director of The Source Computers Limited, says he never had any interaction with Godwin Emefiele during his dealings with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

 

On Friday, Onyejiuwa again appeared before the Lagos high court in the ongoing trial of Emefiele, former governor of the CBN.

 

Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, are currently facing trial on a 26-count charge.

 

The former CBN governor and Omoile have pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

 

Since their arraignment, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been presenting witnesses to support its case against Emefiele.

 

FIRST APPEARANCE

On May 9, Onyejiuwa appeared before the court for the first time to testify against Emefiele.

 

Onyejiuwa told the court that his company provided information and communication technology assistance to the apex bank between 2014 and 2019.

 

See also  Man fakes kidnap, demands N50m ransom from parent

The witness said the CBN awarded at least five contracts to his company during the period.

 

He added that in 2017, the apex bank awarded an “enterprise storage and servers” contract to his firm.

 

Onyejiuwa said after the contract was executed, he was approached by John Ikechukwu Ayoh, a former CBN director, who allegedly said the “management needs something” from the contract.

 

The witness said Ayoh told him that if he did not accede, the funds meant for the contract would not be approved by the management.

 

He further told the court that Ayoh collected $400,000 and $200,000 — on two separate occasions — from him before the funds for executed projects were paid by the apex bank.

 

Ayoh had previously told the court that he collected money from contractors as gratification for awarding contracts to them based on the instruction of Emefiele.

 

CROSS-EXAMINATION OF ONYEJIUWA

See also  Army neutralizes IPOB\ESN fighters who killed DSS officers in Anambra

At the resumption of the hearing on Friday, Olalekan Ojo, counsel to Emefiele, cross-examined Onyejiuwa on his previous testimony.

 

Asked if he physically engaged with Emefiele during his transactions, the witness said he did not meet with the former CBN governor.

 

Onyejiuwa said all channels of communication were through Ayoh.

 

“We only communicated through WhatsApp calls. I was interfacing with Ayoh. I have not met with the first defendant (Emefiele) before,” he said.

 

Emefiele’s counsel also asked the witness whether he confirmed that Ayoh was acting on behalf of CBN management — but Onyejiuwa responded in the negative.

 

Onyejiuwa said he was under pressure from his partners on financial obligations and that he had no choice but to accede to Ayoh’s request.

 

The witness also said he did not report the alleged request for a bribe to the police or EFCC.

 

After the cross-examination, the case was adjourned till July 9 and 10 for continuation of trial.

See also  Good morning! Here Are Some Major News Headlines In The Newspapers Today: DSS seizes Emefiele’s passport, plans home, office search

Metro News

Woman jumps into Lagos lagoon, rescued by boat operators

Published

on

By

A yet-to-be-identified woman has been rescued after reportedly jumping into the lagoon from the Idumota end of the Carter Bridge in Lagos state.

The incident, which reportedly drew the attention of passersby and local boat operators, occurred on Tuesday afternoon.

According to eyewitnesses, nearby boat operators responded and brought the woman back to safety.

video circulating on social media showed the woman, seated in a rescue boat shortly after she was brought out of the water.

The footage, shared on X by a user identified as CHUKS, also showed people gathered on the bridge expressing concern about the woman’s condition.

Some bystanders could be heard appealing to the boat operators to ensure that she received appropriate care.

The circumstances surrounding the incident were unclear as of the time of filing this report.

Authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident or confirm the woman’s identity and condition.

See also  CBN deceived Buhari over Naira redesign to stop election, Says Oshiomhole

Continue Reading

Metro News

Police seize truck-load of fake drug warehouses in Lagos, arrest two

Published

on

By

The Lagos State Police Command says its operatives have uncovered two warehouses allegedly used for repackaging counterfeit pharmaceutical products and arrested two suspected members of a syndicate involved in the interstate and cross-border distribution of fake drugs.

Fatai Tijani, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command,  disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen at the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit in the Ijora Olopa area of the state.

The suspects, identified as Eze Okwudilichukwu, 52, and Chukwudi Mba, 42, were arrested during an intelligence-led operation by detectives attached to the unit.

The police boss said the suspects were apprehended at a warehouse located at Number 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were allegedly repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to various parts of Nigeria.

He said the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of the syndicate.

According to the police commissioner, “The suspects, Eze Okwudilichukwu ‘m’ 52 years, and Chukwudi Mba ‘m’ 42 years, were arrested at their warehouse located at No. 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were found repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to different parts of Nigeria.

See also  Naira Crisis: Why currency redesign policy is failing - Emefiele

“Following their arrest and interrogation, the suspects led detectives to another warehouse, where a duly executed search warrant was carried out. During the search, a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products, bearing registration number KFR 241 XA (Katsina), was recovered alongside other exhibits.”

The police boss said items recovered during the operation included about 300 cartons of suspected adulterated Omeprazole; six bags containing unpackaged suspected adulterated Viagra, Ampiclox, Septrin, Piriton, and other pharmaceutical products; and about 10 cartons of suspected adulterated Ampiclox, Viagra, and other drugs.

The CP noted that more than 300 empty printed packs and cartons were used to repackage counterfeit medicines.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate had been involved in the repackaging and distribution of suspected adulterated drugs for over two years.

He added that detectives uncovered evidence suggesting that the products were supplied to different parts of Nigeria, while large consignments were also destined for Lomé, Togo, indicating the existence of a transnational distribution network.

See also  American sports journalists collapses, dies at Qatar World Cup

“The investigation also suggests that the suspected adulterated drugs are being manufactured somewhere within Lagos State.

“While the production facility has not yet been located, detectives have intensified efforts to identify and dismantle the factory, arrest all those connected with the operation, and bring them to justice,” Fatai said.

The commissioner also alleged that attempts were made to compromise the investigation after the suspects were arrested.

“It is pertinent to state that since the arrest of the suspects, desperate attempts have been made through different channels to induce officers of the Violent Crime Response Unit to release both the suspects and the recovered exhibits.

“I wish to categorically state that these attempts were firmly resisted. The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to professionalism, integrity, and the rule of law, and no amount of pressure or inducement will derail the course of justice,” he added.

Tijani said the suspects, recovered exhibits, and case file had been handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and possible prosecution.

See also  Breaking: Chiwetalu Agu released from DSS custody

He explained that the handover was necessary because the case falls within the regulatory mandate of the agency.

The CP commended operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit for what he described as a professional and intelligence-driven operation while urging members of the public to provide useful information on the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit pharmaceutical products and other criminal activities.

Continue Reading

Metro News

NDLEA uncovers cocaine hidden in wooden mortar, backpack bound for China, Italy

Published

on

By

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have uncovered fresh attempts by drug syndicates to export cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar and a specially modified backpack destined for China and Italy.

This was contained in a statement released by Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, and shared on X on Sunday.

According to Babafemi, one of the consignments involved cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar, a local tool commonly used for pounding yam and grains, which was being shipped to China.

The agency added that another cocaine shipment destined for Italy was discovered concealed in the false bottom of a backpack hidden among lace materials.

He wrote, “Mortar is a traditional local wooden tool commonly used for pounding yams or grains but was used to conceal cocaine consignment heading to China in one of the latest seizures by #ndlea_nigeria officers who also discovered another shipment of cocaine going to Italy in the false bottom of a backpack hidden in lace materials.

See also  Buhari meets Emefiele at State House

“Beware of every parcel you’re given to deliver. Remember the key word for liability is possession!”

Continue Reading

Trending News