"No record of cash collected from Dasuki for Fayose" - Obanikoro

As the trial of former Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose, continues, the Federal High Court in Lagos has heard that there is no record of the N1.2 billion and $5 million ex-minister of state for defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, allegedly delivered to the ex-governor.

Fayose and Biodun Agbele, who is facing a different charge, were said to have taken possession of N1,219,000,000 on June 17, 2014, to fund the ex-governor’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign.

The former governor also allegedly received a cash payment of $5 million from Obanikoro without going through a financial institution, the sum having exceeded the amount authorised by law.

The Nation reports that Fayose is being tried for money laundering before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.

Legit.ng notes that Obanikoro, who testified against Fayose on Monday, February 4, said: “I did not sign any record at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for the money that I collected."

Obanikoro, who was cross-examined by defence lawyer Kanu Agabi (SAN) (for Fayose) and Olalekan Ojo (SAN) (for Fayose’s company and co-accused, Spotless Limited), said: “I was being investigated over funds disbursed through the ONSA.

"I was kept in EFCC custody for 21 days. I reluctantly returned the N200 million cash. Some money was seized from an account related to me." 

According to the former minister, he used the account of Sylvan Mcnamara Limited to receive money from ONSA.

He said: “It was the NSA (Dasuki) that requested me to furnish the account. The request to furnish the account was made orally." 

Obanikoro said he was told by Dasuki that the account was for transferring funds meant for the security of Lagos.

He said: “The account was for securing Lagos. I sourced the account from Taiwo Kareem; it remained his property. We came about the company (Sylvan Mcnamara) because they made a presentation to the ONSA and was found to have the capacity for securing Lagos."

Legit.ng previously reported that Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, a former minister of state for defence, told the Federal High Court in Lagos that it was tough accepting to testify against his friend, former Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose.

Obanikoro spoke on Monday, February 4, while testifying in Fayose’s trial for alleged money laundering before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.