Huge sums of money paid into Fayose’s accounts before Ekiti election – Witness

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose

Alade-Oluseye Sunday, a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Abiodun Agbele, an ally of Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, on Thursday, confirmed that cash deposits were made into the governor’s account before his election.

Sunday made the confirmation while being cross-examined by Defence Counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of Federal High Court, Abuja.

The witness told the court that he did not know that Fayose had an account with Zenith Bank until June 23, 2014 when N1.37 million was paid into the account.

Sunday then gave a breakdown of the monies paid into Fayose’s account before he became governor of Ekiti as; N19,209,882.92 already in the account before the payment of N1.37 million was made into that account on June 23, 2014.

“On June 11, 2014, N5 million was credited into Fayose’s account and another N5 million credited into the account on the same day.

“On the same June 11, 2014, N2.5 million was also credited into the account, while another N895,315 was also paid into the account on June 5, 2014.”

The witness added that on June 2, 2014, N1 million was credited into the account, saying that “Fayose’s account was a very busy account before he became the governor of Ekiti.”

On the alleged N1.2 billion that was brought through Akure airport to Fayose’s bank account, the witness informed the court that it took three officers of the bank 45 minutes to offload the money from the two aircraft that brought the money.

The money was allegedly from the office of former National Security Adviser to former President Goodluuck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki.

He said “it took us 45 minutes to offload the bags from the aircraft, with the assistance of one Olaolu Omotosho and some security guards of Agbele, whose names I cannot remember.

“After our discussion at the airport with Agbele, another man who introduced himself as Adewale and ADC to Obanikoro, insisted that the money must be counted.

“After we had counted the money for some days, Agbele instructed us to deposit part of the money in the various accounts he gave to us.”

The witness also told the court that N263 million was taken to Ado Ekiti on the instruction of Agbele and that it was Olaolu who took the money there.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba then adjourned continuation of trial in the matter until Jan. 25, Jan. 26 and Jan. 27, 2017.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Agbele, along with three companies on an 11-count charge bordering on money laundering.

The companies are Sylvan Mcnamara Limited, De Privateer Limited and Spotless Investment Limited.

The amount allegedly laundered was put at about N1.2 billion.

Agbele had, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, in contravention of Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended in 2012).