A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abubakar Madaki, at the weekend, narrated before a Federal High Court in Lagos, how a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, allegedly struck a deal with a bank to take a N19 million commission for the delivery of N1.2 billion cash to a former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose.

Madaki, who is the 13^thprosecution witness, made the narration while testifying in the ongoing trial of Fayose and his company, Spotless Limited, over alleged N3.3 billion fraud.

In his evidence, Madaki, an investigator with the anti-graft agency, told Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke that the money was part of funds belonging to the Federal Government but was laundered by politicians.

“These funds came from the coffers of the National Security Adviser’s imprest account in the build up to the Ekiti State governorship election in 2014,” Madaki said.

When asked how the N1.2 billion added up to N1.219 billion, the witness said: “My lord, as I have stated in my earlier testimony before this court that the then Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro had an agreement with a bank to deliver the sum of N1.2 billion cash to Mr Ayodele Fayose who was the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2014 with agreed N19 million service charge.”

However, Fayose’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) raised an objection that the witness was not there when any agreement was made, if such exist at all, therefore it was a hearsay evidence which was not admissible in law.

But Justice Aneke overruled the objection, saying it could be raised at the final written address stage.

“I want to hear the story, the witness in the dock is the investigating officer who carried out an investigation as to what transpired. Let this story flow, I want to hear the story. Objection overruled. Pls go on witness,” the judge said.

Continuing, Madaki said: “My lord, our investigation revealed that the said agreement was executed and the money was delivered in cash to the first defendant (Fayose) through one A. Agbele, which our investigation further revealed to be Abiodun Agbele, an associate of the first defendant in Akure via helicopter.

“Investigation revealed that Obanikoro’s fees were deducted from the beneficiaries because we invited some of the bureau de change operators that were used in the transaction and they did confirm that the N19 million was added to the 1.2 billion which made it to be the total sum of 1.219 billion”.

Further hearing in the matter has been adjourned to January 26, 2024 for the cross-examination of the witness by the defence.

It would be recalled that Fayose and company, Spotless Limited, were re-arraigned by the EFCC before Justice Aneke on 11 counts bordering on money laundering and non-declaration of assets, on November 24, 2021.

In the amended charge, Fayose and Agbele, who is also standing trial for money laundering offences before another division of the court, were alleged to have on June 17, 2014, taken possession of N1.219 billion ato fund the former’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 June 17, 2014, without going through financial institutions, received the sum of $5 million from Obanikoro.

The EFCC also accused Fayose of retaining the sum of N300 million in his fixed deposit account with a bank.

The former governor and Spotless Limited were also alleged to have between June 17 and August 4, 2014, taken control of the sum of N317 million and deposited same in a bank.

The EFCC further accused Fayose of spending N270 million and N1.1 billion to acquire property on Plot 1504 Yedsema Street, Maitama, Abuja, from one, Rabi Kundili, and Chalets 3, 4, 6 and 9 on Plot 100 Tiyamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, in the name of JJ Technical Services.

Fayose was also alleged to have between October 16 and December 31, 2018, failed to declare his assets and property by not completing the declaration form during investigation.

According to the EFCC, the offences were 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. (New Telegraph)

•COMBO: Ex-Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro and Ex-Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose