By Emma Njoku
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday, adjourned further hearing in the trial of former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, and his company, Spotless Investment Limited, over an alleged N6.9 billion, till May 8, 2023.
The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had, on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, re-arraigned Fayose and Spotless Investment Limited on an 11-count charge bordering on money laundering and stealing to the tune of N6.9 billion. The defendants had first been arraigned on October 22, 2018 before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.
Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, who confirmed the new date for the trial in a statement, said at the resumed sitting yesterday, the 12th prosecution witness, PW 12, a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, told the court that he had no document showing that he withdrew N1.2 billion, which he allegedly gave Fayose.
“During cross-examination by counsel to the second defendant, Olakekan Ojo (SAN), Obanikoro told the court that he never, at any time, showed the EFCC operatives any document that he gave instruction or withdrew N1.2 billion from the Diamond Bank account of Sylva McNamara Limited.
“Obanikoro, in his previous testimony, had told the court that N1.2 billion was deposited into the account of a company, Sylva McNamara, to fund “clandestine security operations” to prevent terrorists’ activities in Lagos State in two instalments,” the 12th prosecution witness said.
On whether he produced any resolution of the Board of Directors of Sylva McNamara, authorising him to control the management of the account of the company, he said “No.”
He said: “I didn’t produce any board resolution or letter to the EFCC. Also, there was no letter from Sylva McNamara to the then Diamond Bank, telling the bank that I was asked to control and manage the account.”
Obanikoro, who said Sambo Dasuki, a former National Security Adviser, had no interactions with Fayose or Diamond Bank, in respect of the N1.2 billion withdrawn from the account of Sylva McNamara Limited, further told the court that the EFCC exonerated him of any wrongdoing after investigations.
And on whether he was ever asked to refund money to the EFCC, he said: “Yes, I refunded, as it was part of the conditions given for my release. Any wise man would do the same.”
When asked how much was refunded, he said: “I do not recall.”
But when Ojo asked Obanikoro if the money he refunded was between N100 million and N200 million, he responded: “ Okay, around that…”
Obanikoro, while reacting to the question about the sum of $4 billion he allegedly gave Fayose, said: ”In our line of business, it is not customary to ask for receipt or acknowledgement of such money.
“So, there was no confirmation of the money.”
The case was adjourned till May 8 and 9 and June 6 and 8, 2023 for continuation of trial.