The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented another witness in the ongoing trial of Okewole Dayo and Bishop Jonas Katung, who are facing a 23-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of ₦178,885,000.
Testifying before Justice Sharon T. Ishaya of the Federal High Court, Jos, on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, the third prosecution witness (PW3), Dajok Dakung Godfrey, narrated how he lost ₦3.9 million to the defendants through an alleged fraudulent investment scheme operated under the Fadama Multi-purpose Cooperative Society.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Ibrahim Buba, the 42-year-old civil servant recalled being attracted to the cooperative after watching a televised presentation in May 2010.
“I got to know the defendant when he was making a presentation on television,” he told the court. “Bishop Katung Jonas encouraged people to join the Covenant Fadama Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society. As a man of God, I believed what he was saying.”
Godfrey said he visited the cooperative’s temporary office at the former NICON Insurance building on Secretariat Road, Jos, where he paid ₦1,000 for a registration form and made an initial deposit of ₦400,000. He continued contributing until his total savings reached ₦3.9 million.
According to him, the cooperative initially paid 10% monthly interest until December 2011, after which payments abruptly stopped.
He identified Dayo as the secretary and executive director of the cooperative, while Bishop Jonas introduced himself as chairman or president. The witness further recalled a meeting at Lamonde Hotel, Jos, where Bishop Jonas assured members the issues would be resolved, a promise that never materialised.
With the continued delay, members engaged a lawyer, Solomon Dalung, who petitioned the EFCC. Godfrey confirmed several payment receipts tendered in court, which were admitted as Exhibit H, and revealed that an additional 1% was deducted monthly from members’ funds amounting to ₦261,000.
Under cross-examination by counsel to the first defendant, C.I. Nwogbo, Godfrey admitted he never made direct payments to Dayo and that the televised broadcast did not reference any partners. He affirmed that his statement to the EFCC in 2014, admitted as Exhibit PW3A, was accurate.
Responding to questions from counsel to the second defendant, G.G. Achi, the witness stated he had only known Bishop Jonas as a clergyman and had attended one of his services.
With no re-examination, Justice Ishaya adjourned the matter to February 19, 2026, for continuation of trial.
