A former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has testified in court that he airlifted N1.219billion cash to former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, for the governorship election in the state.
Obanikoro made the revelation while testifying before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the ongoing trial of Fayose and his firm, Spotless Investment Limited, for their alleged involvement in N6.9 billion money laundering.
According to Obanikoro, he received the money from the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col Sambo Dasuki (retd), as directed by Fayose. He explained that the money was airlifted in two tranches because Diamond Bank in Ado-Ekiti lacked the capacity to handle such a large sum of cash.
“We were going to have an election in Ekiti State and I was saddled with the responsibility of coordinating the activities. Some days before the election, I got a call from Governor Fayose asking me if I received any message for him from ONSA,” Obanikoro said.
“I had a phone conversation with the NSA, and was told he would get back to me. After, he got back to me that N2.2billion was paid into the account of Sylvan Mcnamara Ltd.”
Obanikoro stated that he could not vouch for the source of the funds, adding that only the NSA could explain it. He further testified that he handed over the N1.219million cash to Agbele for onward delivery to Fayose.
“I did not take any money or N19million, contrary to a publication by a Lagos-based online platform,” he added.
Obanikoro also explained that the funds were airlifted from Lagos in two tranches because the aircraft could not accommodate the entire amount.
“Myself, my ADC and my security orderly were there, including a top aide of Fayose to meet Mr. Agbele, the bank manager. I instructed my orderly to escort Mr Agbele and ensure the safe delivery of the money.”
Justice Dimgba thereafter adjourned the matter to February 27, 2024, for a continuation of the trial.