Detectives have uncovered alleged diversion of over N59.6million meant for projects under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Ekiti State by Mr. Abiodun Agbele, an associate of Governor Ayodele Fayose.
Agbele, who is in detention, is believed to have been a front to launder N1.299billion for Fayose through his company, De-Privateer.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) believes the cash was part of the N4.745billion paid ex-Minister Musiliu Obanikoro’s company, Sylva Mcnamara, by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for the 2014 Ekiti governorship poll.
EFCC operatives were probing more clues on slush funds and payment of kickback by contractors before uncovering alleged diversion of MDGs’ funds.
According to EFCC investigators, the MDGs’ funds were transferred from a First Bank (MDGs-CGS Local Govt) to BYKD Consult Limited, which is purportedly owned by Agbele.
The funds were transferred in four tranches as follows: February 18, 2015(N18, 159, 050; N15, 319,850; N11, 218, 500; and March 30, 2015—N15, 704, 325.
Upon receipt of the funds through his account 0059177132 in Diamond Bank, Bodija, Agbele allegedly diverted the cash to pay for choice vehicles from Affordable Motors, a leading car sales company.
A source said: “We traced the diversion of the funds. On February 19, 2015, about N40million was transferred to the account of Affordable Motors.
“Also, on February 20, 2015, N15million was remitted to the same auto firm. We have the records.
“You can see how funds meant for projects designed for those at the grassroots were used to buy vehicles from an auto mart. This is why we have renewed the detention warrant on Agbele.
“We have asked Agbele to provide evidence of the contracts he did to have received funds from MDGs account in the state.
“We are going to invite all those connected with the disbursement of the fund including the coordinator of MDGs and civil servants in charge of the projects.
“We are conducting a comprehensive investigation on how funds were allocated to MDGs and local governmet areas and the disbursement process.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “We are suspecting that the governor might have used Agbele to launder MDGs’ funds. As soon as investigation is completed, we will make our findings public.
“Our findings so far have revealed the same pattern of how the N1.299billion handed over to Agbele by Obanikoro was transferred to Fayose’s accounts.”
The N1, 219, 490,000 was not deposited in any account but it was kept in a vault in the bank. It took the bank officials about 10 days to count. The bankers refused to make entry until it was counted,
“Shortly after confirming the figure, Abiodun was used to coordinate the disbursement of the funds. On June 26, 2014, Agbele paid N137million into Ayodele Fayose’s account 10003126654 with Zenith Bank through Teller-0556814. Fayose’s BVN on the teller is 22338867502. On August 22, 2014, he paid N50million into the same account. By the records from the bank, Abiodun paid another N118, 760,000 into Fayose’s account on 27/8/14,” a document on the investigation stated.
“Based on the transfers, Fayose moved N300million to a Fixed Deposit Account No 9013074033 with Zenith Bank at 15, Olusola Abiona Street, Olorunda Estate, Alapere Ketu. He has the same BVN-22338867502.
“After that, Abiodun deposited another N100million from the N1, 219, 490,000 into Spotless Hotel Account run by Fayose and his wife, Helen Olayemi Fayose with Account No. 1010170969, Fayose’s BVN is 223338867502 and his wife’s BVN in the account is 22298990256.
“The governor and his wife are the two directors and signatories of Spotless Hotel account.”
