According to a statement by the EFCC, Maishanu said he knew the defendant in 2015 through one Eric, who was his personal assistant as CBN governor. “I asked Ahmed what role I was to play because I was not working in the branch where the payment was made. At that point, he told me that they wanted cash payment, and if I could either go with them or recommend someone to go with them. Ahmed admitted that once the approval of the government had been obtained, my friend and he can proceed with the cash payment. “Later, he told me he had the government approval and that my friend could come for the cash payment.