How Obanikoro Transferred NSA Billions To Fayose – EFCC

According to SaharaReporters, a damning copy of the counter-affidavit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti in connection with the freezing of his account with Zenith Bank has detailed how former Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro wired billions to Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose.

Last week, the judge refused to grant an order to unfreeze the account.  Instead, he summoned the commission and Zenith Bank, which holds the account, to appear before him on July 4 to explain why the governor’s account of the Governor was frozen.

The EFCC counter-affidavit submitted to the court forced Gov. Fayose’s lawyers to ask for a quick adjournment in the case, and the judge adjourned the case until September 30.

EFCC lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo had informed the court that his clients had filed a counter affidavit, with nine exhibits. Our sources say that when Mike Ozekhome, who is the governor’s lawyer, saw the contents of the affidavit, he was left in shock.

The affidavit details how former Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro, who is currently hiding in Atlanta, USA, conspired with the currently-detained former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, to steal and divert the sum of N4.7billion of public funds to fund the rigging of Governor Fayose’s election in 2014.  Obanikoro’s son, Jide, used his company, Sylvan McNamara Ltd to facilitate the stealing.

Among others, the counter-affidavit also details the movement of cash through Akure airport, including the registration number of the private jet used in the illegal transaction.

The document also exposes how, in addition to fraudulently retaining the sum of N1.2 billion stolen from the treasury of the Federal Government through the office of the NSA, Gov. Fayose has since assuming office in 2014 been stealing state funds and collecting kickbacks from contractors doing business with his government, which he invests in buying property in Lagos and Abuja.

The EFCC named some of the companies from which he has received such gratifications as Samchese Nigeria Limited, Tender Branch Concept Nig. Ltd, Hoff Concept Ltd, Calibre Consulting Ltd, Still Earth Ltd and Signachorr Nigeria Ltd.

Fayose, it further deposed, instructed Still Earth Ltd and Signachoor Nigeria Ltd to use the funds to acquire properties for him, which they did in the name of J.J. TECHNICAL SERVICES LTD, a company which belongs to the governor and his wife.

In addition, Fayose also used the name of one Mrs. Moji Ladeji, his sister, to acquire a property at No 44 Osun Crescent in Maitama, Abuja, from the proceeds of the alleged offences of receiving gratification and kickbacks. 

Our correspondent said that outside the courtroom today, a number of protesters waved placards in support of the EFCC action against Governor Fayose.

Text of the counter-affidavit:

IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF NIGERIA

IN THE EKITI JUDICIAL DIVISION

HOLDEN AT EKITI

SUIT NO: FHC/AD/CS/27/2016

BETWEEN:

MR. AYODELE FAYOSE

(GOVERNOR OF EKITI STATE)…………………………. APPLICANT 

AND

THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION }

ZENITH BANK PLC }  RESPONDENTS

THE 1ST RESPONDENT COUNTER AFFIDAVIT IN OPPOSITION TO THE APPLICANT’S ORIGINATING SUMMONS DATED THE 23RD DAY OF JUNE, 2016.

I, Tosin Owobo, Male, Christian, Nigerian and an Investigating Officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, 15A, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos do solemnly and sincerely make oath and state as follows:

That I am one of the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission assigned to investigate this ma.

That I have the consent and authority of the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to depose to this counter affidavit in opposition to this originating summons.

That by virtue of my position as one of the Investigating Officer assigned to investigate this matter; I am well conve