I never gave money to Daniel, witness tells court

…As EFCC withdraws exhibits against ex-Governor

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NIGERIA: A WITNESS in the on-going trial of ex-Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has denied ever giving out money to the erstwhile chief executive officer of the state.

A civil servant, Mr. Kunle Shokunbi, who is a principal witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said that at no time did he collect any money and handed it over to the former Governor.

Shokunbi, a former Personal Assistant (PA) to Daniel’s ex-Chief of Staff, Chief Yomi Majekodunmi, also said during cross-examination that he did not raise any memo throughout the tenure of being PA to collect money, as claimed.

Similarly, Shokunbi, who testified for about two hours, told the court that he was not aware where his former boss gave money to Daniel throughout his tenure in office.

“I never raised a memo and don’t know how money is being disbursed,” Shokunbi said, adding: “I don’t know anything about General Claim form.  I never handed over money personally to former Governor Gbenga Daniel and I was not a witness to any time my boss personally handed over money to the former governor.”

Shokunbi, however, admitted collecting money from the Accountant as part of his official duties and in his official position and handed over same to Majekodunmi.

Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has on Friday temporarily withdrawn some exhibits at the ongoing criminal trial of Daniel.

The EFCC lead counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, told the court on his decision to withdraw the exhibits during the cross examination of Shokunbi‎ when he discovered the exhibits were not well perfected.

Jacob, however, informed the court that he would re-present the exhibits through another witness in subsequent trial in the court and the request was granted by the trial judge, Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje, who adjourned further hearing till December 20, 2016