Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, a former minister of state for defence has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that he was instructed by a former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd), to transfer N1.2 billion to former governor of Ekiti State, Peter Ayodele Fayose.Information Guide Nigeria
Obanikoro revealed that the transfer was made from an account used as Boko Haram Special Intervention Account.
LEADERSHIP NEWS report that he said this while testifying as an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness in the ongoing trial of Fayose over an alleged N3.3 billion fraud.
He claimed that the N1.2 billion was initially transferred from the impress account of the NSA into the special intervention account.
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Peter Ayodele Fayose and his company, Spotless Investment Limited, is facing an 11-count charge of criminal breach of trust, theft, and stealing of public funds.
EFCC alleged that Fayose and one Abiodun Agbele, who is also standing trial on alleged money laundering offences 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. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.NYSC portal
While being led in evidence by the prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Obanikoro said the sum of N2.2 billion was budgeted for the 2014 Ekiti State governorship election and Ayodele Fayose from the office of NSA.
The former minister said the funds came from the National Security Adviser’s imprest account to Silver Maclamaran Nigeria Limited. Adding that the company is under his control.
LEADERSHIP NEWS reports that when asked what he knows about a committee for fundraising towards the 2014 Ekiti State governorship election, Obanikoro said: “Yes, I was the chairman of the Committee and a lot of funds were contributed even up to the national level of our party.”
He added that he can also recall members of the funds raising committee, he said, “Yes, I can remember T. K. Aluko and Lateef Agbaje.”JAMB Result
Obanikoro revealed to the court that he was detained for 21 days by the EFCC during their investigation into the allegations.
He said: “The EFCC invited me in 2016, and I came in from the United States of America but was incarcerated for 21 days, even when there is a presumption of innocence in law when allegations like this arise.
“Yes, a letter of complaint was written from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), but I believe that it was written out of ignorance because after all the investigation, common sense prevailed, and I was exonerated.”
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