Dr. Waripamo-Owei Dudafa on Monday told a Federal High Court in Lagos that the N1.6 billion linked to him was meant for a church project.
Dudafa, who served under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan as senior special assistant on domestic affairs, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Cricmes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Mohammed Idris.
Dudafa said the N1.6 billion linked to him was proceeds of donations towards a church project.
According to him, the money was part of the N6 billion realised from the launch towards the building of a youth development centre in Otuoke by the Anglican community.
He said: “From my interactions with former President Goodluck Jonathan, I know that the funds were proceeds of a launching that was conducted by the Anglican Communion of Otuoke community for the building of St. Stephens Youth Development Centre, Otuoke.
“The launching, which was done in Lagos on March 16, 2013, was organised by the former president as a member and grand patron of the Anglican Communion.
“About N6 billion was realised from the event. Several persons made various donations at the event, while the chief launcher, Prince Arthur Eze, pledged $10 million (about N1.8 billion), which he promised to redeem piecemeal.”