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  • Fayose: EFCC witness acknowledges signed documents in court

    Fayose: EFCC witness acknowledges signed documents in court

    The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, October 17, heard the testimony of the 15th witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Joseph Machleb, in the ongoing trial of former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose.

    Fayose is facing prosecution by the EFCC for alleged fraud amounting to N6.9 billion and charges of money laundering.

    He was first arraigned on October 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, on 11 counts related to fraud and money laundering. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail on October 24, 2018, set at N50 million with sureties of equal value.

    Subsequently, Fayose was re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on July 2, 2019, after the case was reassigned from Justice Olatoregun at the EFCC’s request.

    He again pleaded not guilty and was allowed to continue on his previous bail as the trial was adjourned.

    The EFCC has opened its case before Justice Aneke and is currently presenting witnesses. Mr. Machleb was examined by the prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN).

    A mechanic with Samchase Nig. Ltd, Machleb testified about his company’s involvement with a third party, Azeez Michelle, in managing contracts, while denying any knowledge of property transactions related to Fayose’s case.

    During his testimony, Machleb, who is not fluent in English, stated that he resides in Akure, Ondo State, and works as a mechanic for Samchase Nig. Ltd.

    When asked about a company called JJ Technical Services Ltd, he confirmed his involvement, noting that he and his older brother co-founded the company.

    He added that they had entrusted it to Azeez Michelle for contract solicitation.

    However, when questioned about the company’s involvement in property acquisitions, he replied, “I don’t know anything about that.”

    “I don’t authorize Michelle to buy property; I only told him to look for contracts for the company”.

    During cross-examination by defence counsel Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN), the witness told the court that he did not authorize in writing, one Azeez Michelle to execute any transaction for the company, J.J Technical Services.

    Ojo then asked: ‘If I give you any document that shows you authorized same will you remember”

    The witness replied “Maybe I will”

    Ojo then applied that a document dated Nov. 20, 2013, be shown to the witness for purposes of refreshing his memory pursuant to the provisions of section 239 of the Evidence Act.

    The prosecutor did not object.

    When shown the document, the witness identified his signature and admitted signing the same.

    Defence counsel then tendered the evidence before the court and it was admitted and marked as exhibit A20.

    On further cross-examination by Ojo, the witness told the court that JJ Technical Services authorized the said Azeez Michelle to sign and execute documents, letters, and instructions on behalf of the company.

    When asked if he knew whether, on the strength of exhibit A20, Michelle executed many transactions on behalf of the company, the witness replied: ‘ No, I don’t know”

    Defence counsel then called for exhibits MM1 and 2 and asked the witness if it was the first time he had seen the documents.

    The witness replied: “After these issues come up.”

    He added that he did not receive any document, adding that his brother only called to inform him that there was a problem in the company.

    Ojo then asked: “When your brother told you that there was a problem in the company, you were worried and wanted your company to be out of any problem”?

    The witness replied: “of course”.

    The witness also confirmed to the court as suggested by defence counsel, that his company legitimately executes its businesses or duties.

    He also told the court that his company never wrote any letter or memo to the said Michelle to find out if he knew anything about the documents MM1 and 2.

    Ojo then asked the witness to look at the first defendant in the dock and tell the court if he had seen him before.

    The witness replied: “Yes, I see him on TV”.

    He also confirmed knowing Fayose was a former governor of Ekiti.

    Defence counsel then asked: “I suggest to you that both you and your company had no business with him during his tenure as governor.”

    The witness replied: “No, I never, J J never”

    When asked if the defendant had ever visited his family in Lebanon, the witness replied “I don’t know”.

    When asked if Michelle had been reporting to him about activities carried out concerning the document, the witness replied “he has not”

    The witness also denied knowing one Biodun Agbele or having any transaction with him.

    Ojo then asked the witness if he recalled going to the EFCC and he replied Yes.

    When asked if the commission had shown him any document in respect of any transaction between his company and the first defendant, or his company and Biodun Agbele, the witness said: “They just show me one agreement.”

    During cross-examination by the first defence counsel, Mr. Uchenna Njoku (SAN), the witness confirmed that his company had affirmed Michelle to act for it, based on trust and confidence.

    He told the court that to date he had not found any reason to doubt Michelle’s integrity in acting for the company.

    Justice Aneke adjourned until Oct. 18 for the continuation of the trial.

    According to the charge, on June 17, 2014, Fayose and one Abiodun Agbele were said to have taken possession of the sum of N1.2 billion, for purposes of funding his gubernatorial election campaign in Ekiti, which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    Fayose was alleged to have received a cash payment of the sum of five million dollars, from the then Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution.

    Read Also: Otunba Fayose to host grand celebration for mum’s 85th birthday

    He was also alleged to have retained the sum of N300 million in his account and took control of the aggregate sums of about N622 million which sum he reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    Fayose was alleged to have procured De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd,  to retain the aggregate sums of N851 million which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    Besides, the defendant was alleged to have used the aggregate sums of about N1.6 billion to acquire properties in Lagos and Abuja, which sums he reasonably ought to have known formed part of the crime proceeds.

    He was also alleged to have used the sum of N200 million, to acquire a property in Abuja, in the name of his elder sister Moji Oladeji, which sum he ought to know also forms crime proceeds.

    The offences contravene the provisions of sections 15(1), 15 (2), 15 (3), 16(2)(b), 16 (d),  and 18 (c)  of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.

  • Fayose trial: N2.2b payment authorised by Ex-NSA without job evidence, witness tells court

    Fayose trial: N2.2b payment authorised by Ex-NSA without job evidence, witness tells court

    A former Director of Administration and Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, authorised the payment of N200 million and N2 billion to a company, Silver Macnamara without any evidence of the job done.

    Shuaibu Salisu, who is the 14th Prosecution Witness (PW 14), also told the trial judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, that the NSA did not tell him the purpose for which the money was meant.

    He said the memo raised only stated that the purpose was physical security infrastructures.

    Salisu revealed the foregoing in the ongoing trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of a former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Limited, over an 11-count charge of criminal breach of trust, theft and stealing of public funds.

    The anti-graft agency alleged that Fayose and one Abiodun Agbele, who is also standing trial on alleged money laundering before another division of the court, on June 17, 2014 took possession of N1.219 billion to fund his 2014 governorship campaign in Ekiti State.

    The ex-governor, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    When the case was called on Friday, Salisu, who was led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said: “Once the NSA approves payment, we process the payment accordingly. And our payments are mainly on operational payment for security; I mean operational activities.

    “The role of the NSA office is purely on the security of the entire country, and if moneys are expended for security infrastructure, we expect that it will be retired.”

    Shown a document tagged Exhibit S, the payment voucher raised for the funds, he said: “It is the payment mandate raised by me as a Director of Administration and Finance under the NSA’s instruction.

    “The NSA instructed me to raise it. The first figure was N200 million in favour of Silver Macnamara, paid to the Diamond Bank account, and the NSA gave me the account details.”

    Read Also: EFCC appeals acquittal of Fayose’s aide in N1.219b money laundering suit

    When the witness was asked who signed the payment mandate, he said: “I signed my part as signatory B. After that, I took it to the NSA for final signature, which is the approval, after which I will take the mandate to the Central Bank of Nigeria for payment.”

    He further testified that the payment was made and that there ought to be a retirement after the purpose for which the money was paid had been carried out, but up till the time he left the office, he could not say whether the beneficiary made the retirement or not.

    Under cross-examination by counsel to the first defendant, Ola Olanipekun, SAN, Salisu testified that all payments made by the office of the NSA were made through the bank, and they had to raise the mandate before it was done.

    While being cross-examined by the lawyer of the second defendant, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, the witness testified that about the retirement of funds, once money is given to a recipient, he is supposed to bring a receipt of what he has been asked to supply with a memo attached to it.

    However, Olanipekun moved an application before the court, seeking the permission of the court for his client to travel abroad on health grounds.

  • ‘Fayose didn’t make any transactions in N6.9b fraud case’

    ‘Fayose didn’t make any transactions in N6.9b fraud case’

    A prosecution witness, Abubakar Madaki, yesterday told a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos State that embattled former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, did not personally make any of the financial transactions relevant to the charge before the court.

    Madaki gave evidence during cross examination in the ongoing trial of Fayose over N6.9 billion fraud and money laundering charges.

    Fayose was first arraigned on October 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, on 11 counts of fraud and money laundering.

    He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail on October 24, 2018, in the sum of N50 million and sureties in like sum.

    Fayose was however re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on July 2, 2019, after the case was withdrawn from Justice Olatoregun, following EFCC’s petition.

    Read Also: Witness admits Fayose did not make any financial transactions in N6.9bn fraud case

    He still pleaded not guilty and was allowed to continue on the earlier granted bail, while the case was adjourned for trial.

    The commission has since opened its case before Justice Aneke, and is still leading witnesses in evidence.

    At the resumption of proceedings yesterady, the prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) called Madaki, an investigating officer with the EFCC, as the 13th prosecution witness to continue his cross examination…

    The court adjourned continuation of trial until July 19, October 17 and October 18.

  • Witness admits Fayose did not make any financial transactions in N6.9bn fraud case

    Witness admits Fayose did not make any financial transactions in N6.9bn fraud case

    A prosecution witness Abubakar Madaki on Monday, June 1, told a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos that embattled former governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, did not personally make any of the financial transactions relevant to the charge before the court.

    Madaki gave evidence during cross-examination in the ongoing trial of Fayose who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over N6.9billion fraud and money laundering charges.

    Fayose was first arraigned on Oct. 22. 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd,  on 11 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering offences.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on Oct. 24, 2018, in the sum of N50 million with sureties in like sum.

    The defendant, was, however, subsequently, re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, on July 2, 219, after the case was withdrawn from Justice Olatoregun, following EFCC’s petition.

    He still pleaded not guilty to the charges and was allowed to continue on the earlier granted bail, while the case was adjourned for trial.

    The commission has since opened its case before Justice Aneke and is still leading witnesses in evidence.

    At the resumption of proceedings on Monday, the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) Madaki an investigating officer with the EFCC was called upon as the 13th prosecution witness to continue his cross-examination.

    Under cross-examination, the second defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) called for exhibit D12 and asked the witness to look through and confirm to the court if there was any transaction relevant to the charge which was personally made by the first defendant.

    In response, the witness replied ‘There is none”

    Defence counsel then asked the witness if he recalled telling the court that he did not witness any of the transactions in the case, and the witness replied “I only said it was in the course of the investigation”

    On whether he acted based on facts in his investigation, the witness replied “Yes, very well my lord”

    When further asked if the facts were made available to him by persons who saw or participated in the transactions, the witness replied “Yes, in the course of investigations”.

    The defence counsel then asked the witness whether all conclusions tendered or made available to the court including the investigations made in respect to the charge took their root from facts which he was either told or read.

    In response, the witness replied “Yes, including documents recovered in the course of investigations”

    When defence counsel asked the witness if he remembered the name “Eruka” and whether a statement was taken from him, the witness replied in the affirmative adding that a statement was also obtained from him in the course of the investigation.

    Read Also: Money laundering: Court frees ex-Fayose’s aide

    When the defence asked the witness to confirm if the said Eruka was in Abuja on the same day an 11th witness Musilius Obanikoro had claimed he was in Abuja according to exhibit J.

    Before the witness could respond to the question, the prosecutor objected on the grounds that the witness could not be made to give evidence on an extra Judicial statement of a dead man which was merely tendered.

    The court intervened that the witness should answer the question in the interest of justice, and the witness replied that he could not find the portion where it was stated.

    When asked by Ojo if he had come across any document where Fayose had acknowledged receipt of any amount of dollars from Obanikoro, the witness replied that there was no document of acknowledgment.

    Under further cross-examination by first defence counsel, Ola Olanipekun (SAN) who adopted all earlier cross-examinations by Ojo, he asked the witness to confirm his earlier evidence that the sum of N4.6 billion was transferred by the then National Security Adviser (NSA) to one Sivan Macnamara.

    In response, the witness said yes.

    On how the transfer was done, the witness told the court that it was done by the office of the NSA from its impress account to the diamond bank account of Sivan Madnamara.

    Defence counsel then said: “You said the payment was made from NSA to Sivan Madnamara and that part of the money was meant to be transferred to the first defendant”

    The witness quickly replied, “I never said transfer, I said it was meant for the first defendant”.

    Defence counsel then asked if he had investigated why a transfer was not made to the first defendant if the funds were meant for him.

    The witness replied, “Questions were asked and investigations showed that it was meant to disguise the source of the money, so it was given by cash to avoid traces.”

    On whether he had confirmed if the funds were proceeds of drugs, the witness replied that the money was not proceeds of drugs.

    The court adjourned the continuation of the trial until July 19, October 17 and October 18.

    According to the charge, on June 17, 2014, Fayose and one Abiodun Agbele were said to have taken possession of the sum of N1.2 billion, for purposes of funding his gubernatorial election campaign in Ekiti, which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    Fayose was alleged to have received a cash payment of the sum of five million dollars, from the then Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution.

    He was also alleged to have retained the sum of N300 million in his account and took control of the aggregate sums of about N622 million which sum he reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    Fayose was alleged to have procured De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd,  to retain the aggregate sums of N851 million which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    Besides, the defendant was alleged to have used the aggregate sums of about N1.6 billion to acquire properties in Lagos and Abuja, which sums he reasonably ought to have known formed part of the crime proceeds.

    He was also alleged to have used the sum of N200 million, to acquire a property in Abuja, in the name of his elder sister Moji Oladeji, which sum he ought to know also forms crime proceeds.

    The offences contravene the provisions of sections 15(1), 15 (2), 15 (3), 16(2)(b), 16 (d),  and 18 (c)  of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.

  • We’ll resist Fayose’s plan to hijack party structures, say Ekiti PDP leaders

    We’ll resist Fayose’s plan to hijack party structures, say Ekiti PDP leaders

    Ahead of the forthcoming congresses of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, some leaders of the party have vowed to resist attempts by former governor Ayodele Fayose to hijack the party’s structures.

    Speaking at the party’s stakeholders and leaders meeting held in Ado-Ekiti, former PDP chairman, Gboyega Oguntuase, insisted that the party would never again allow the ex-governor to hijack the party and trade it for self-aggrandisement.

    He said Fayose and his co-travellers jostling to take over the party should look elsewhere, noting that members knew that he was a mole for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The ex-PDP chairman alleged that the APC was doing everything possible to sponsor individuals to take over the PDP and scuttle the chance of the opposition party in the 2026 governorship election.

    He said the party leaders in the state had unanimously endorsed the PDP senatorial candidate in the 2023 general election for Ekiti North, Mr. Funso Ayeni, for state chairman in the coming congresses.

    He said: “The meeting is for members across the 16 local governments in the state, discussing and mapping out strategies on how we can stop some people from sabotaging Ekiti PDP and there is a consensus that if PDP must be saved from those dealing with the party recklessly and without integrity, the only way is to adopt a chairman who has interest of the party.

    Read Also: Congress: Ekiti PDP leaders vow to resist Fayose’s alleged plan to hijack party structures

    “It is so clear that the former governor betrayed the party in the last elections in the state and he is unapologetic about those decisions and those things are elements of sabotage and we must stop those people from hijacking the party going forward.

    “If truly we want to rescue the party, we must have a consensus on a chairman with integrity, who is vibrant and young; who will not sell out the party and they have spoken that Funsho Ayeni should be picked.

    “But we are not going to stop at that, especially some few leaders who are not on same page with us on the basis of zoning, we will discuss with them that what is important now is to get a viable chairman who will be able to stand on his own and will not compromise at the point of intimidation.

    “So, after getting the governorship back to the PDP in 2026, then we can of course start zoning, but zoning without the governorship seat will mean nothing.”

    Responding, Ayeni hailed the stakeholders for their decisions to endorse him for the state chairmanship position, assuring them that when elected he would unite the party and make it formidable towards capturing power in the 2026 governorship election.

    He called on the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to be wary of Fayose’s antics, saying members of the party would no longer tolerate his anti-party activities going forward.

    “This is a man who has gone on the media that he is supporting the APC and Governor Biodun Oyebanji for second term and someone said he is calling for unity of PDP. What type of unity is that?

  • Judge’s absence stalls Fayose’s trial

    Judge’s absence stalls Fayose’s trial

    A Federal High Court sitting at Ikoyi Lagos has adjourned till July 1, 2024 in the money laundering trial of a former Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose due to the absence of the trial Judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke. 

    According to Court officials, Justice Aneke is out on official assignment necessitating the adjournment. 

    However, the tentative date for the next sitting is July 1, 2024.

    Fayose is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with Spotless Investment Ltd on 11 counts of N6.9 billion fraud and money laundering.

    Fayose was first arraigned on October 22, 2018, before another trial judge, Mojisola Olatoregun.

    The case was withdrawn from Ms Olatoregun, following a petition by the EFCC.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on October 24, 2018, in the sum of N50 million with sureties in like sum.

    When the defendants were re-arraigned before the new judge, Chukwujekwu Aneke, on July 2, 2019, Mr Fayose, again, pleaded not guilty before Aneke who allowed him to continue on the bail granted him by Justice Olatoregun.

    The EFCC has since opened its case before the new judge and has been calling its witnesses.

    Read Also: 2026: Ekiti PDP disowns Fayose over for endorsing Oyebanji for second term

    According to the charges filed by the commission, Fayose and one of his aides, Abiodun Agbele, on 17 June 2014, took unlawful possession of N1.2 billion to fund his governorship election campaign in Ekiti State.

    The commission alleged that the sum formed part of the crime proceeds.

    Fayose was alleged to have received a cash payment of the sum of five million dollars, from the then Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution.

    He was also alleged to have retained the sum of N300 million in his account and took control of the aggregate sums of about N622 million which sum he reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    It added that Mr Fayose got De Privateer Ltd. and Still Earth Ltd. to retain aggregate sums of N851 million which formed part of crime proceeds.

    The defendant was also alleged to have used the aggregate sums of about N1.6 billion to acquire properties in Lagos and Abuja, which sums he reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    The former Governor also allegedly used N200 million in crime proceeds to acquire a property in Abuja in the name of his elder sister, Moji Oladeji.

    The alleged offences, EFCC said, contravened sections 15(1), 15 (2), 15 (3), 16(2)(b), 16 (d) and 18 (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011.

  • Feyisetan Fayose: Garlands for the heroine at 60

    Feyisetan Fayose: Garlands for the heroine at 60

    • By Bimbo Daramola

    An unseen battle tested warrior who fought all battles and won them all on her feet and with her faith. 

    To be able to answer that question about a virtuous wife, as stated in the Bible, a virtuous woman who can find? As addressed to all men, I recommend without any shade of doubt the life of a woman that I know fairly and by her sterling and untainted reputation, Mrs Feyisitan Fayose , the wife of the effervescent former Governor of Ekiti State. 

    I believe the Scripture wanted all men in their search for a good wife to be extremely cautious and careful, and went further to highlight the characters and characteristics of who should fit that role. I believe Governor Ayo Fayose found her.

    Today I am comfortable in my skin to say a human perfect fit and match of all the characteristics as enunciated in the Bible is this woman, Mrs Feyisitan Fayose. 

    I have been in places where people had asked me or the discussions propped up about first lady of states, and sometimes about our state, and in their rating Mrs Feyisitan Fayose comes far and above everyone else. 

    During her husband’s tenure, by choice she opted to really stay in the shadows and her visibility was reduced to almost two events only, the end of year Carols service and New Year visit to hospitals and motherless babies homes. She was never one to share a seat with her husband at state functions, no state related functions or roles assigned, mandatorily allotted or snatched in demonstration or to assert the position of the Wife of Governor. 

    She was contented with remaining the real power behind her husband fighting his battles from her knees, in dry fasting and through her fiery faith. 

    Whoever does not believe this should go and review the trajectory of the life of the person, personae and personality of her husband, Ayodele Peter Fayose, the Oshokomale, even before he became governor. 

    This very reserved and intelligent woman is not one to flaunt anything from outward appearance to visibility or her position, or wealth; she has chosen to be impactful in the best way she knows i.e through her prayers, putting the wellbeing of her husband and children first every time. 

    Even the milestone of 60th, she has vehemently refused any lousy party! Rather opting for a quiet family time. 

    Without doubts , I am convinced that without this huge power plug behind a man like Ayodele Peter Fayose, it most likely would have been an impossibility to have a Governor Ayodele Fayose survive all of his adult life battles, from conquering the street to become financially independent  coming from that modest background  and rising to significance and relevance in business even before his assumption of the position of governor. Not stopping there, he went further from that relatively unknown and modest status to become the Governor of Ekiti State without a god father defeating the privileged son of a General. 

    Whoever thinks that conquering the street is easy should go and do a sit-rep and undertake a check of millions that the street had literally consumed not only their visions and dreams even their lives either through usage of drugs, abuse of alcohol and indeed never to be able to rise. Ayo Fayose survived the street because of this quiet power plug whose power is not in mechanical engines that could be measured in horsepower, or any manpower but simply Godspower!

    When the innocuous and little known ebullient man wanted to run for governor, I am told this gentle power base sought clearance from Headquarters above and secured it for him, before Fayose stepped out. I recall his first campaign poster was titled “Who is Ayo Fayose?” The wife knew who he was and is!

    He was derided as a joker!  Well it turned out that the joke was on all those who underestimated the power behind the then young man daring to tread where angels buckle. He won. 

    When he eventually did, everyone said nah Juju, nah wetin he pour inside the water tankers that he used to provide water, a man who recognised that the people indeed needed water and went ahead to provide the water they wanted backed by wisdom from on high and drawing steady strength from the knees and virtues and from the faith of this unknown quiet woman Feyisitan Fayose. The bourgeoisie kept underestimating him, sometimes bordering on derision, but this woman had sealed it for her beloved husband.  

    Then trouble started due to a bit of youthful exuberance that comes with conquests and defeating erstwhile weighty figures and systems as a young man. Eventually he ran into troubled water and was impeached in a dramatic manner, then began another long and winding tortuous journey for him, through thick and thin, the travails, the power plug did not unplug ! She stuck by him all the way.

    I am reliably told that yet again, she it was she who declared that Governor Ayodele Fayose would come back, and that no matter how tough, the comeback bid would be – it had been sealed on her knees and through her unshaken faith. She was the armour bearer so to speak, an impregnable shield not only for her husband but her children. 

    Read Also: N1.5 trillion road project debt: FG asks contractors to begin verification

    Every excesses that may be attributed or attributable to Governor Ayodele Fayose, this power plug shielded him from deadly and fiery consequences and recompense that ordinarily would have sent anyone not graced to have someone like Mrs Feyisitan Fayose taking the bullets and diverting them in whatever manner and form they appear. 

    It is now history that Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose came back eight years, eight days later after he was removed from office on the strength of this power plug and power base. 

    Today I join the family of the former governor, Ayodele Fayose to salute and celebrate this unusually amazing woman, soft hearted, soft spoken, deeply intelligent but moderated in her outlook of life, a woman of supra, ultra-virtues of simplicity, not garrulous,  dedicated, public spirited without being showy, unwavering pillar of support and above all a woman who truly had found her essence and purpose in life. 

    May you continue to be engraved in the palm of your creator in whom you have found your ultimate essence. May the grace that has found you never leave you. Well I am sure this prayer is stale and too late, knowing you for the life of holiness that you not only preach but live; you abhor unnecessary ostentation and ostentatious living and lifestyle, so that grace is already there.

    I trust God to continue to showcase you as an exemplary woman and a jewel of inestimable value to your maverick, boisterous and enigmatic husband just as Pa Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo declared and testified of Hannah Dideolu as his “jewel of inestimable value”, I believe that is his declaration and testimony too.

    Happy Birthday our delectable former First Lady, Feyisitan Fayose.  

    •Hon. Daramola is former member, House of Representatives. 

  • Alleged N4.6bn fraud: How Obanikoro got N19m for delivering N1.2bn to Fayose, by witness

    Alleged N4.6bn fraud: How Obanikoro got N19m for delivering N1.2bn to Fayose, by witness

    A federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday heard that a former minister of state for defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, allegedly struck a deal with the defunct Diamond Bank (now Access Bank) to take a N19 million commission for the delivery of N1.2 billion cash to former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose.

    A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abubakar Madaki, made this known before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke during the resumption of Fayose’s trial for alleged N4.6 billion fraud.

    The EFCC said the money was part of funds belonging to the Federal Government but was laundered by politicians.

    Madaki testified as a prosecution witness while being led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN).

    He said the 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.

    The witness was asked how the N1.2bn added up to N1.219bn.

    Responding, he 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 Diamond Bank to deliver the sum of N1.2bn 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, counsel to Fayose,. Olalekan Ojo (SAN) objected that the witness was not there when any agreement was struck, if such existed at all. Therefore, it was a hearsay evidence which was not admissible in law.

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    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. Please go on witness,” he said.

    Following the order of the court, 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 1.2bn which made it to be the total sum of  1.219bn.”

    Justice Aneke adjourned further proceedings in the matter to January 26, 2024, for defence to cross examine the witness.

    Abubakar Madaki is the 13th prosecution witness that has testified against Fayose.

    Fayose and his company were re-arraigned 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 N1.219bn to 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 number 9013074033 domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc.

    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 the same in Zenith Bank Plc account number 1010170969.

    The EFCC further accused Fayose of spending N270 million and N1.1 billion to acquire properties 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 properties by not completing the declaration form during investigation.

    According to the EFCC, the offences 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.

  • People sue govt, Fayose for ‘land grab’

    People sue govt, Fayose for ‘land grab’

    Residents of  Olora in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, are set to sue the state and ex-Governor, Ayo Fayose, for alleged grab of their ancestral lands.

     Olora of AdoEkiti, Chief Benjami Arogundade, said the people will seek justice over the alleged grab of their land on Iworoko-Ekiti Road.

     Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, Arogundade alleged the land was illegally taken over and the Ebira forcibly evicted by the Fayose-led government.

    He said the land was acquired by the government for industrial use, but  later put under Ekiti State Housing Corporation and  sold to individuals.

    Arogundade  noted though those using the land for farming were compensated, none of the  families got anything

     His words: “Before I was installed Olora, I learnt that place was acquired by the government under decree of Olusegun Obasanjo of 1978. Our people farming in the land were compensated on their value added asset there like cocoa, palm tree but the families got nothing.

     “The letter to the family was the government acquired the place for public interest and industrial use. But to our dismay, the government put the land under Ekiti State Housing to sell to individuals to build houses.

     “The irony of it is the former governor, Ayodele Fayose, bought part of the land while in office, three months to his exit. He used his agent, Mr. Ariyo, to force the Ebira people. They contacted security agents to come and harass the people.

    “While I was not at home, I called my chiefs, they went to the commissioner of Police, even though we have contacted our lawyer who said he will put up a litigation.

     “While the chiefs negotiated with the commisssioner for a temporary stay for the Ebira, who have been there for over 100 years, Fayose’s aagent of Fayose connived with security to remove iron sheets of roofs of houses, even crops were destroyed.

     “Our lawyer has sued the government, Police commissioner, Housing Corporation and others…’’

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    I think the Commissioner of Police has yielded to our cry that those people should be given the time to leave but the irony of it is that they asked them to leave, where are they going to?

     “These people have been there over 100 years and you said they should move? They have gone to give them a barren area, there is no road to the place, nothing for them to use as a dwelling place. We hope that by the time we get to court, they will be able to find a lasting solution to it.

     “We have been co-existing with the Ebira people not to only the Olora family, but to the whole state. If you go to the Federal Polytechnic, you have them where they fence them off even in Abuja where we have fulani people who are leaving there.

     “I don’t know why the person who bought the place is interested where these Ebira people are leaving. If you want to buy the land, there are other places. Why is he interested in this area where they have been leaving for the past 100 years.

     “Ekiti State Housing is the agent of the state government and even supporting and selling out the land which is against what the state wanted to use the land for. I don’t know whether there is a collaboration between the state government and the housing units.

     “They have served the state government, Ekiti State Housing, Commissioner of Police and we have written a petition against the destruction of the properties of Ebira people and we have also sued the former governor and his agent. We are waiting for justice to prevail because this is against humanity”, he explained.

  • Witness claims Fayose lavished FG’s N1.2bn on property, others

    Witness claims Fayose lavished FG’s N1.2bn on property, others

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has heard how a former Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, allegedly gave N1,219,000,000 cash belonging to the Federal Government to a former Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

    A former operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abubakar Aliyu Madaki, told Justice Chukujekwu Aneke that Fayose lavished the money on property, among other things.

    Fayose and his firm Spotless Investment Limited are being prosecuted by the EFCC on an 11-count charge of alleged laundering of N6.9 billion.

    The Nation recalls that Obanikoro had, in the course of the proceedings, narrated how the N1.2bn was allegedly taken to Fayose on an aircraft.

    In continuation of his evidence on Thursday, Madaki, the 13th prosecution witness, told the judge that from the money, Fayose bought property worth N270 million from one Rabiu Kundili in Abuja and also deposited N100 million in a fixed account.

    Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the EFCC operative stated that between June 17 and 27, 2014, a total cash deposit of N150 million was lodged into the bank account of the 2nd Defendant (Spotless Investment Limited), by one Biodun Agbele, an aide to Fayose.

    Another sum of N168 million was further deposited into Spotless Investment Limited’s bank account on August 24, he added.

    He maintained that the money was released from the impress accounts in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

    The witness explained 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 was the campaign funds from his political party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was investigated, and found to be false.

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    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 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 to the first defendant.

    “So the funds moved from Diamond Bank to Zenith Bank 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 Sambo Dasuki.”

    He said an opportunity was given to the first Defendant and his associate, Abiodun Agbele, to explain the source of the money deposited into the account of the 2nd Defendant but they could not give any convincing reason.

    Justice Chukujekwu Aneke adjourned till November 24 for continuation of trial.

    The defendants were arraigned on October 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.

    Following the judge’s retirement, Fayose and his firm were re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke for alleged money laundering and non-declaration of his assets.

    In the amended charge, Fayose and Agbele, who is also standing trial on alleged money laundering offences before another division of the court, were alleged to have on June 17, 2014, taken possession of N1.219 billion to fund Fayose’s 2014 governorship 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 Obanikoro.

    The offences, according to the EFCC, contravened 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 denied the allegations.

    He pleaded not guilty to all 11 counts.