Fayose’s Trial: N1.2 billion diverted from NSA office’s account was for security not to fund Ekiti poll: Witness
A former employee of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Aliyu Abdulmukadaddas, on Tuesday testified in an Abuja high court that the N1.2 billion transferred by the CBN from the account of the Office of National Security Adviser under Sambo Dasuki was to address security matters in Ekiti State and not to finance elections.
The witness disclosed that he was familiar with the Diamond Bank account 0026223114 of Sylvan McNamara Nigeria Limited where the lodgement was made.
The prosecution lawyer, Wahab Shittu, SAN, led the witness in evidence before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, in the trial of Abiodun Agbele, a former aide of ex-governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose.
“We have paid N200 million to the company through a Diamond Bank account. We have paid N200billion to the company, N700million, N100billion, N255million to 0026223114 Diamond Bank account among other payments,” he said in a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday.
Mr Fayose is being probed for multiple criminal charges by the EFCC over alleged money laundering to the tune of N6.9 billion.
He was first arraigned on October 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd., on 11 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, and was granted N50 million bail on October 24, 2018, with sureties in like sum.
Mr Fayose’s aide, Mr Agbele, is standing trial on 24 amended charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N1.219 billion paid into the Diamond Bank account of Sylvan Mcnamara Ltd.
During cross-examination by the defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, the witness revealed that the CBN verified payments before lodgement.
He added, “All the payment has to be verified, and the verification is on the receiving account, and we must verify if it is okay before posting, and in this case it was okay, that was why we posted.”
Justice Dimgba adjourned the matter until May 2 and 3, 2024.
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