Fayose, A Ex-Governor Of Ekiti State
A former operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abubakar Aliyu Madaki, today, told a Lagos Federal High Court, how a former Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, handed over the sum of N1, 219,000,000 billion, in cash to former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Peter Fayose, to run his reelection in 2014.
Fayose and his firm Spotless Investment Limited are being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly laundering N6.9 billion.
Recalled that Obanikoro, had earlier narrated before the Court how N1.2 billion was allegedly taken to former Gov Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, using an aircraft.
In continuation of his evidence today, Madaki who is the EFCC’s 13th Witness, told Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke that out of the money, the former Ekiti State governor bought property worth N270 million from one Rabiu Kundili in Abuja and also deposited in a fixed account the sum of N100 million.
Madaki while being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), stated that between June 17 and 27, 2014, a total sum.of N150 million cash deposit was lodged into the bank account of the second defendant (Spotless Investment Limited), by one Biodun Agbele, an aide to the former Ekiti governor Fayose.
The witness further told the court that on August 24, 2016 the sum of N168 million was also deposited into Spotless Investment Limited bank’s account. While maintained that the money was released from the impress accounts in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
He stated that the impress accounts were under the control of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd).
He further stated that the claim by the first defendant (Fayose ) that the N1, 219, 000, 000 billion received from the former Minister of State for defence, Musiliu Obanikoro was the campaign funds from his political party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was investigated.
He said “in our investigation, we contacted the People’s Democratic Party secretariat in Abuja. The party denied receiving any money from the National Security Adviser, or from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The party also said it did not give any campaign money to Senator Musiliu Obanikoro to give the first defendant.
“So the funds moved from two banks were clearly the funds that came from the impress account which is under the control of the office of the National Security Adviser to President Goodluck, Jonathan, Colonel Dasuki.
He said opportunity was given to the first Defendant and his associate, Abiodun Agbele to explain the source of the huge sum of money deposited into the account of the 2nd Defendant but they could not give any reasonable reason
Justice Chukujekwu Aneke has adjourned the matter till November 24 for continuation of trial.
The EFCC, had, re-arraigned Fayose and Spotless Investment Limited on an 11-count charge bordering on money laundering and stealing to the tune of N6.9bn ( Six Billion Nine Hundred Naira).
The defendants was first arraigned on October 22, 2018 before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.
Fayose and his company were re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke for alleged money laundering and non-declaration of his assets.
In the amended charge, Fayose, his firm and one Abiodun Agbele, who is also standing trial before an Abuja division of the Federal High Court, on alleged money laundering offences, were alleged to have on June 17, 2014, taken possession of N1.219 billion to fund Fayose’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign in Ekiti State.
They were accused of committing criminal breach of trust, theft and stealing of public funds.
They were also alleged to have on the same June 17, 2014, without going through financial institutions, received $5 million from Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who was the Minister of State for Defence.
The offences, according to the EFCC, are contrary to sections 15 (2)(d); 1 and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended, and punishable under Section 15 (3) (4); 16 (2) (b) of the same Act.
Fayose has however denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all 11 counts of charges.
…………
For Advertisement, Event Coverage, Public Relations, Story/Article Publication, and other Media Services, kindly send an email to: thelegendnews25@gmail.com. To stay updated with the latest news, health updates, happenings,Sports and interesting stories, visit thelegendnewsng.com . THE OBINJA MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS (Publisher of TheLegendNews/THELEGENDTV)
