'How Fayose’s aide coordinated evacuation of N1.2 Billion cash'

A prosecution witness, Biodun Oshodi, has narrated how Abiodun Agbele, an aide to a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, coordinated the movement of N1.2bn slush funds in the build-up to the Ekiti State governorship election in 2014.

Agbele is standing trial before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja, along with three companies – Sylvan Mcnamara Limited linked to a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro; De Privateer Limited run by him, and Spotless Investment Limited, whose bank account was allegedly operated by Fayose and his wife, Feyisetan.

Testifying as the third prosecution witness, Oshodi, who is the Zonal Head of Zenith Bank Plc, South-West, while being led in evidence by counsel for the EFCC, Wahab Shittu, further narrated the role he played in the movement of the cash on May 17, 2014.

He further told the court on Thursday that the slush funds were handed over to Agbele, adding that he also “supplied the accounts in which the money was disbursed into.”

The prosecution, thereafter, tendered the statement of the witness volunteered to the EFCC during investigation which was admitted in evidence.

A statement by the acting EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade, on Friday said another statement made to the commission on July 25, 2016 was also admitted in evidence.

Under cross-examination by counsel for the first defendant, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, the witness denied receiving any instruction from Agbele concerning evacuation of the cash.

“The instruction was from his colleague, Lawrence Akande,” he said, adding that the procedure for the transaction was legal.

When asked if he knew Obanikoro or had any dealings with him, he stated that he had never met or had any dealings with Obanikoro.

The matter has been adjourned to May 24 and 27, 2019 for continuation of cross-examination.