From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

A prosecution witness in the trial of former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode Tuesday the Federal High Court, Abuja how he collected N26m on behalf of Fani-Kayode from the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The witness, Mr. Victor Ehiabhi told Justice John Tsoho how he was sent by the ex-Aviation minister to accompany his gardner named Francis and a domestic staff named Esther to NSA’s office.

Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Johnson Ojugbane, the witness said he was a police office in force Criminal Investigative Department (CID) before he was deployed as Fani-Kayode’s security aide.

He stated that his schedule of duty includes protecting the defendant’s household and his properties.

Ehiabhi testified that on Nov. 21, 2014 one of the gardner named Francis called him on phone and told him that the defendant directed them to go NSA’s office at the villa.

He said that on reaching there as instructed he was given a document to endorse on behalf of the defendant who was absent.

“In the document I endorsed the sum of N26m which was indicated for the defendant by the NSA.

“I initially refused to endorse the document  on behalf of the defendant but the man insisted that hence I was a police officer, I was to endorse the document.

“He brought the N26m cash which was in a bag, gave to me I then took it to the defendant’s house whom I later called.

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He added that the defendant later called him asking him to ensure maximum security I am the house until his arrival.

The witness further stated that on the arrival of the defendant, he handed over the N26m to him .

Responding to the prosecution’s question on why he was invited by the EFCC, the witness said he was invited because he was the defendant’s security aide.

He said when he was invited to EFCC’s office, an EFCC personnel brought the document he signed at NSA’s office on Nov. 21, 2014.

He said he was asked of his participation in the money and he told them how the defendant sent him to get it.

The defence counsel, Wale Balogun who represented Ahmed Raji (SAN), pleaded with the court to adjourn the matter to enable Raji cross examine the witness.

Balogun had earlier told the court that Raji was absent due to his missed flight to Abuja.

Justice John Tsoho, adjourned the matter till June 6 for cross examination of the witness.

The ex-aviation minister was accused of allegedly collecting N26 million from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and using same for media campaign.