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  • Ekiti PDP will regain power in 2026, ex-commissioner blasts Fayose

    Ekiti PDP will regain power in 2026, ex-commissioner blasts Fayose

    Former commissioner for works in Ekiti state, Funmilayo Ogun, has boasted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will win the 2026 governorship election in the state against all odds.

    Ogun said the party has the followership to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress, saying that Ekiti people are resolute in liberating themselves from the vestiges of slavery and maladministration.

    The former state secretary of the party was apparently replying to former governor Ayodele Fayose, who had said incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji would govern Ekiti for eight years.

    Ogun, in a statement on Monday, October 23, said the people of Ekiti are resolute in seeing PDP power, adding that the party won’t allow the personal interest of individuals to override the corporate interest of committed members.

    He regretted that some leaders who benefited immensely from the PDP had abandoned the party halfway, urging leaders to come together and reposition the party to give Ekiti people responsive government.

    Ogun, who was a commissioner under Fayose’s administration pleaded with PDP followers to reset their mindset and have the conviction that they can reclaim the State from Governor Biodun Oyebanji in 2026.

    She reiterated that the state is now ripe to produce the first female governor and such a dream would be realised in 2026, exuding confidence that the coast was clear considering the abysmal failure of the APC at the national level.

    She added: “There is a difference between passion for development and personal interest. Some people are only after personal interest and not collective interest. We won’t allow this in PDP.

    Read Also: P&ID case: Tinubu welcomes Nigeria’s victory

    “A party that ruled the country for 16 years and at a time produced 30 out of the 36 governors can’t be said to be a pushover or not well mobilised to win a state like Ekiti. We are on course and we will fulfill this dream.

    “I am convinced we are taking over power in 2026. I will be the next governor of Ekiti State and the first female governor in Nigeria.

    “By this day in 2026, we will all be celebrating our swearing-in by God’s grace. We just need to come together as a party and tell ourselves we can do it. But this can only be realised in unison”.

    The former PDP scribe charged PDP members, especially the young Turks to believe that they could reposition the party and rescue it from heading for the rock.

    “The young generation of PDP should believe that they can sit on the table and eat, rather than depending on the crumbs falling off the tables of leaders that had already seated. This party belongs to all of us.

    “It is no longer going to be business as usual. The party will now be handed over to committed leaders and not merchants.”

  • APC, Fayose bicker over alleged plot to disrupt Udiroko festival

    The Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor Ayodele Fayose on Monday exchanged verbal attacks over alleged plot to cause havoc in the state.

    The party alleged that Fayose has perfected plans to tinker with the state’s peaceful ambience by hiding under the celebration of the annual Udiroko cultural festival scheduled to hold today.

    But, the former governor denied the claims, describing the allegation as baseless and figment of the critics’ imagination.

    In a statement signed by the APC Director of Media and Publicity, Elder Sam Oluwalana, said: “We have it on good authority that a former governor of the state wants to hide under the Udiroko festival to attempt to launch himself back into the politics of the state, having failed woefully to achieve this through the ballot.

    Read Also: Police confirm three dead as festival turns violent In Ogun community

    “The former governor and his cohorts, having been traumatised by the gale of unprecedented achievements of the present administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, are now attempting to make a return to the politics of the state through the backdoor.

    Elder Oluwalana, who doubles as SSA Media (Party Matters) to Fayemi, advised the people not to allow themselves to be used by political marabouts in their quest to portray themselves as friends of the masses.

    But Fayose’s media aide, Mr. Lere Olayinka, said: “We are not in the habit of dignifying lowlife and people living with guilt of forcing themselves on Ekiti.

    “It is obvious that almost a year after manipulating themselves to power,  they are still afraid of the shadow of Ayo Fayose, a man whose footprints will remain on the sands of Ekiti forever.

    “Rather than jumping up and down spinning lies against Fayose, who is moving on with his life after serving Ekiti diligently, Governor Fayemi and his APC election riggers should concentrate on making meaningful impacts in the state.”

  • Olujimi mocks Fayose, Eleka over Supreme court verdict

    Senate Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi, has lashed out at immediate governor of the Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose and the PDP Governorship candidate in the last gubernatorial election, Prof. Olusola Eleka after the Supreme Court judgment.

    The Apex Court had upheld the election of Governor Kayode Fayemi in a unanimous judgment by a five-man panel, declaring the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last governorship election in Ekiti, Kolapo Olusola Eleka as frivolous and lacking in merit.

    Olujimi alleged Fayose of destroying the chances of the party with his selfish agenda to ruling by proxy with his puppet fielded as the party’s candidate.

    She said Fayose’s high handedness in muzzling the party to pursue selfish interest forced many of its strong members who could have swayed votes for the party in the election.

    The lawmaker urged the duo to cover their faces in fame for sacrificing the people’s party for their unrealistic selfish interest.

    According to a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Chief Sanya Atofarati, “We told them but they wouldn’t listen. How do you expect Fayose’s stooge who is not even conversant with politics to win at the polls not to talk of the Supreme Court.

    “He(Fayose) destroyed the party by fielding unsellable and unpopular candidate.”

     

  • Updated: Judge’s absence stalls trial of Fayose

    The absence of Justice Mojisola Olatoregun Tuesday stalled the trial of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    The judge is said to have gone on an official assignment.

    She had informed parties ahead about her absence.

    The case was also stalled on May 14 due to the absence of prosecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN).

    The last proceeding was on May 10 during which Jacobs sought for time to decide on whether to continue leading his witness in evidence.

    The court heard that day that a former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) authorised the transfer of N2.2billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to former minister of state for defence, Musiliu Obanikoro.

    Read Also: EFCC counsel’s absence stalls Fayose’s N1.2b, $5m fraud trial

    Fayose is on trial for allegedly receiving and keeping N1.2billion and $5million allegedly stolen from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) through Obanikoro.

    A stir was caused when a prosecution witness, Mr Adewale Aladegbola, claimed that he was asked to lie by his superior.

    The witness, a bullion van driver, claimed he was asked to lie that he moved money for Fayose.

    He said the bank’s two bullion vans were broken down the day it was alleged that the money was moved.

    Jacobs said: “My Lord, from indications I am getting from responses from this witness, it looks as if this witness might become hostile as he is making statements absent from his extra-judicial statement in the proof of evidence,” he said.

    The SAN said he needed time to consider the nature of application to be made in the circumstance.

    But he was absent on the day the case was to come up.

    A new date, June 10, has been fixed for continuation of trial.

  • Fayose: I prepared Deeds of Assignment for properties in V.I, Lawyer testifies

    A Seventh Prosecution Witness, Mr Kennedy Osunwa, on Wednesday told a Federal High Court in Lagos that he was engaged to prepare a Deed of Assignment with respect to a property lying at 100, Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The witness, who is a legal practitioner, gave the evidence at the resumed trial of immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, who is standing trial on allegations bordering on fraud.

    Fayose was arraigned on an 11-count charge by The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Oct. 22, 2018 alongside a company, Spotless Investment Ltd.

    He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and the court had granted him bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum.

    EFCC had opened the case for the prosecution on Nov. 19, 2018 and called four witnesses.

    On Jan. 21, 2018, the prosecution called its fifth witness, Sen. Obanikoro, a former Minister of State for Defence.

    At the last adjourned date on Tuesday (yesterday) both the fifth Prosecution Witness, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, and the sixth witness, Mr Omotayo Falae, had both concluded their evidences before the court.

    On Wednesday, Osunwa appeared in court as seventh witness for the EFCC.

    The Prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), led him in evidence and asked him to tell the court what he knows about the case.

    Osunwa narrated :” Sometime in 2014/2015, a company that I had retainership with as a tenant solicitor, (Still Earth Ltd), called me and said they had acquired some properties lying at 100, Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island

    “And that they have concluded arrangement to sell some because they have a buyer and the particulars of the buyer were given to me to prepare a Deed of Assignment.

    “I was told that one Abiodun Agbele with a company, J. J Technical, are buying the property,”

    The witness said that the necessary particulars, as well as the consideration for the property which he was to insert in the agreement, were supplied to him and he prepared the Deed.

    He said that at completion, he informed the officers of the company that the Deed was ready for execution and they instructed him to bring the agreement to the company as the said Agbele would be coming to take same.

    The witness told the court that the agreement was sent as requested and after some days he was called by the officers of the company that same had been executed and he was shown a copy of the Deed that was acknowledged by Agbele’s lawyer, one Mr Kolade.

    He said that in 2016, he was invited by the EFCC to come with all the officers of his company as well as with all the Deeds of Assignment he prepared with respect to the property at Victoria Island.

    The witness said that after he received the invite, he immediately travelled to Abuja with all the requirements, adding that he submitted all document to the Commission.

    Laying a foundation for tendering of the document, the prosecutor asked the witness “If you see the document will you recognise it” and the witness replied “Yes”

  • Obanikoro ends evidence against Fayose

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday discharged former Minister of State for Defence Senator Musiliu Obanikoro as a witness in the trial of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose.

    Obanikoro testified as the fifth witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Under cross examination by counsel for Spotless Limited, Fayose’s co-accused, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), Obanikoro said there was no documentary evidence to back up all he said in court.

    Ojo asked him: “Did you produce any evidence to back any of your assertions before this court?”

    Obanikoro answered: “No.”

    Ojo asked the former minister about his late personal assistant Justin Erukaa, whose statement made during investigation was earlier admitted in evidence.

    The witness said: “Erukaa left Lagos a day before Salah about two years ago.

    “The Police called one of my special assistants saying the owner of the phone died on the spot in a motor accident. My PA immediately called me.”

    After Ojo said he had no further questions for Obanikoro, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) called the sixth prosecuting witness (PW6), Mr. Olugboyega Omotayo Falae, a banker.

    The EFCC had alleged Fayose acquired a property on 44, Osun Crescent, Maitama, Abuja in the name of his elder sister, Moji Oladeji, with N200million.

    Falae, who works with Ecobank Nigeria, said he was a staff of Skye Bank (now Polaris Bank) when the transaction occurred.

    He said as head of the estate support department, he knew about how the property came to be sold.

    According to him, the bank occasionally disposes of some properties “that are in excess of its requirements.”

    He said the Osun Crescent property was one of those the bank decided to dispose of.

    Falae said once the bank’s management gave approval, a list of properties was given to agents who would source for buyers.

    He said the bank got offers, including one from one Mrs. Titiloye Orebiyi.

    “Eventually we agreed on N200million for the property. The documents of the transaction were submitted to the EFCC.

    “On April 20, 2015, we wrote an internal memo and a letter of acceptance to the Managing Director of Signature Integrated Ltd (Mrs Orebiyi) accepting their N200million offer and indicating which bank account to pay to,” he said.

    The court admitted some of the transaction documents in evidence.

    Fayose is on trial for allegedly receiving and keeping N1.2billion and $5million allegedly stolen from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) contrary to the Money Laundering Act.

    He pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned on an 11-count charge last October 22.

    EFCC said Fayose and Biodun Agbele, who is facing a different charge, allegedly took possession of N1, 219,000, 000 on June 17, 2014 to fund the former governor’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign.

    The commission said Fayose “reasonably ought to have known” that the money “formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing.”

    EFCC said Fayose, on the same day, received cash payment of $5million from Obanikoro, without going through a financial institution, the sum having exceeded the amount authorised by law.

    Fayose pleaded not guilty.

    Trial continues tomorrow.

  • Fayose: Court admits Obanikoro’s dead aide’s statement in evidence

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday admitted in evidence a statement made by the late Justin Erukaa, a former Personal Assistant of ex-Minister of State for Defence Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun held that the statement was admissible in law.

    Obanikoro was testifying for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the trial of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose.

    Counsel for Spotless Limited, Fayose’s co-accused, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had during proceedings on February 7 urged the judge to admit the statement in evidence.

    He said the statement was relevant to the case because Erukaa made it in the course of EFCC’s investigation.

    “In law, the first litmus test of admissibility is relevance. Obanikoro said in his testimony that he sent Erukaa on errands, including to collect over $1million and that he came to meet him in Ekiti.

    Read Also: Fayose’s kinsmen defect to APC in Ekiti

    “In law, a statement made to the EFCC in the course of investigation is admissible in evidence without the maker being called as witness or being a party to proceedings.

    “It is not the law that a document which is not tendered through the maker is not admissible,” the SAN said, relying on sections 36 and 83 of the Evidence Act.

    But, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs opposed Ojo’s bid to tender the statement, arguing that it was not admission in law.

    He said the sections relied on by Ojo were not application in the circumstances.

    But the judge overruled Jacobs, holding that Section 46 of the Evidence Act make such a document admissible.

    She said the issue was what weight the court would attach to the statement, which was the court’s to determine.

    Fayose is on trial for allegedly receiving and keeping N1.2billion and $5million allegedly stolen from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) contrary to the Money Laundering Act.

    He pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned on an 11-count charge last October 22.

    Under cross examination on Monday, Obanikoro reiterated that three were no records of the money sent from ONSA.

    “We’re dealing with security issues. It can be called anything just to protect the transactions. They can be characterised as anything,” he said.

    He said there was no contract awarded before the fund was transferred, adding that he supervised Sylvan Mcnamara Ltd’s account from which the fund was disbursed.

    He said funds paid into the account were for the security of Lagos, and for election purposes in Ekiti and Osun states.

    “I only took supervisory responsibility of the account during the transactions for Lagos, Ekiti and Osun.

    “No contract was signed. Matters of election can be matters of security. Political matters can also be security-related,” Obanikoro said.

    Asked if he would be surprised that the ONSA denied paying N2.2billion to Sylvan Mcnamara’s account, Obanikoro said: “I won’t be surprised.”

    EFCC said Fayose and Biodun Agbele, who is facing a different charge, allegedly took possession of N1, 219,000, 000 on June 17, 2014 to fund the former governor’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign.

    The commission said Fayose “reasonably ought to have known” that the money “formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing.”

    EFCC said Fayose, on the same day, received cash payment of $5million from Obanikoro, without going through a financial institution, the sum having exceeded the amount authorised by law.

    Fayose pleaded not guilty.

    Trial continues Tuesday.

  • Fayose’s trial: Judge threatens to order Obanikoro’s arrest

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday threatened to order the arrest of former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, for absence without notice to the court.

    The absence of Obanikoro, who is testifying for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the trial of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, stalled the continuation of his cross-examination.

    EFCC lawyer Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) said Obanikoro took ill and was admitted.

    “I called him yesterday (Wednesday) to notify him about today’s (yesterday’s) proceedings. He said he thought he would be discharged on Wednesday (when the court did not sit).

    “This morning (yesterday), I couldn’t reach him on phone. But his Special Assistant informed me that Obanikoro was receiving treatment in the hospital,” he said.

    When the judge asked for a medical report, Jacobs submitted one given to him by Obanikoro’s aide.

    But the judge appeared unconvinced by the report.

    She said Obanikoro had a civic obligation to be in court to continue with his testimony.

    “If I want to pursue it, the medical doctor may lose his license for issuing this report. But I will accept this because you (Jacobs) are a responsible member of the inner bar,” Justice Olatoregun said.

    Fayose’s lawyer Ola Olanipekun (SAN) said he would have applied for a bench warrant for Obanikoro’s arrest but urged the judge to send a warning to the witness.

    Justice Olatoregun said she would not hesitate to order Obanikoro’s arrest should he fail to appear at the next adjourned date.

    “If he fails to appear, he’ll be sent to jail and they’ll be bringing him from there with Black Maria,” the judge said.

    In a short ruling, the judge said he would give Obanikoro the benefit of the doubt.

    She added that she hoped he would be in court next time, failing which she would have “no choice” than to order his arrest.

    Jacobs and lawyer to Spotless Limited, Fayose’s co-accused, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), addressed the judge on whether a statement made by the late Justin Erukaa, Obanikoro’s associate, could be tendered.

    Ojo said the statement was relevant to the case because Erukaa made the statement in the course of the investigation.

    “In law, the first litmus test of admissibility is relevance. Obanikoro said in his testimony that he sent Erukaa on errands, including to collect over $1 million and that he came to meet him in Ekiti State.

    “In law, a statement made to the EFCC in the course of investigation is admissible in evidence without the maker being called as witness or being a party to proceedings.

    “It is not the law that a document, which is not tendered through the maker is not admissible,” the SAN said, relying on sections 39 and 83 of the Evidence Act.

    But Jacobs opposed Ojo’s bid to tender the statement, arguing that it was not admissible in law.

    He said the sections Ojo relied on were not applicable in the circumstance.

    “He wants to smuggle the statement in,” Jacobs said.

    According to him, certain conditions must be met before a statement made by a dead person could be tendered, including that the person must have appeared in the proceedings.

    Fayose is on trial for allegedly receiving and keeping N1.2 billion and $5 million allegedly stolen from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), contrary to the Money Laundering Act.

    He pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned on an 11-count charge last October 22.

    EFCC said Fayose and Biodun Agbele, who is facing a different charge, allegedly took N1,219,000,000 on June 17, 2014, to fund the former governor’s 2014 campaign.

    The commission said Fayose “reasonably ought to have known” that the money “formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing”.

    EFCC said Fayose, on the same day, received cash payment of $5 million from Obanikoro, without going through a financial institution, the sum having exceeded the amount authorised by law.

    Fayose pleaded not guilty.

    Justice Olatoregun adjourned till February 18, 19 and 20 for ruling and continuation of trial.

     

     

  • Court resumes trial of Fayose Feb. 7

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday fixed Feb. 7 for continuation of trial of the immediate past Governor of Ekiti, Mr Ayodele Fayose, over alleged N6.9 billion fraud.

    The case which was earlier fixed for today for continuation of cross-examination of the fifth prosecution witness, has been shifted to Thursday.

    On the next adjourned date, both the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), and the defence counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), will address the court on the admissibility of an extrajudicial statement made by a party who is not standing trial.

    Fayose was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Oct. 22, 2018 alongside a company Spotless Investment Ltd on 11 counts.

    He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and the court had granted him bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum.

    EFCC had opened case for the prosecution on Nov. 19, 2018, and called four witnesses.

    On Jan. 21, the prosecution called its fifth witness, Sen. Musliu Obanikoro, a former Minister of State for Defence.

    At the last adjourned date on Feb. 5 (Tuesday), Obanikoro was still under cross examination by second defence counsel Ojo, who was expected to continue on the next date.

    According to the charge, on June 17, 2014, Fayose and 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.

    Read Also: Obanikoro: No record of cash collected from Dasuki for Fayose

    Fayose was alleged to have received a cash payment of the sum of five million dollars, (about N1.8 billion) from Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution and which sum exceeded the amount allowed by law.

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

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

    Besides, the accused was alleged to have used the aggregate sum 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 accused 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 contravened Sections 15(1), 15 (2), 15 (3), 16(2)(b), 16 (d), and 18 (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.

  • Court stands down Fayose’s trial

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday stood down for one hour, the fraud trial of the immediate past Governor of Ekiti, Ayodele Fayose, facing charges of N6.9 billion fraud.

    A former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musliu Obanikoro, who is the fifth prosecution witness, was billed by cross-examination on Monday.

    He had testified at the last adjourned date, on Jan. 21, saying that Fayose received five million dollars and some amounts of naira from the impress account of a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, in June 2014.

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun handling the trial, rose shortly after the court began sitting to attend an official function.

    Read Also: Fayose’s core loyalists join APC in Ekiti

    She said that she would be back in an hour to continue with the case.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Fayose was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Oct. 22, 2018, alongside a company Spotless Investment Ltd., on 11 counts.

    He, however, pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum.

    When the case was called on Monday, Mr Rotimi Jacobs, (SAN) announced appearance for EFCC, while Messrs Kanu Agabi (SAN) and Olalekan Ojo (SAN) appeared for the accused.