A former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro has appeared before a Federal High Court, in Lagos, to give evidence in the criminal trial of immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, in about seven billion Naira fraud case.
Fayose was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on October 22, last year, alongside a company, Spotless Investment Ltd., on an eleven counts charge.
EFCC alleged that the defendant received a cash payment of f five million dollars, from the witness without going through any financial institution and which sum exceeded the limit allowed by law.
Leading the witness in his chief evidence, EFCC Counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN asked Senator Obanikoro to narrate his relationship with the defendant in 2014 as regards the matter before the court.
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In response, the witness told the Court that in June 2014, the accused called him and asked if there was any message for him from the then National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki.
The witness who claimed he was at the time of the call yet to receive the said message promised to check with the NSA and revert to the governor, adding that eventually the NSA confirmed to him that he had a “message” for the accused and that the funds would be made available.
Senator Obanikoro explained further that he then enquired from the accused how he wanted the money. The accused according to Obanikoro ordered him to change some part of the money into Naira and bring the rest in dollars.
After giving his evidence, the defence lawyer, Messrs Kanu Agabi, SAN, then sought for an adjournment to enable him cross examine the witness.
The presiding judge, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun granted the prayer while adjourning till fourth of next month for cross examination. (Radio Nigeria)
