In a dramatic turn of events at the Federal High Court in Abuja, former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, unraveled a riveting account detailing the airlifting of approximately N1.2 billion cash to Ayodele Fayose, the former Ekiti State governor, in 2014.
Obanikoro, a prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), disclosed to the court the intriguing narrative of the cash transfer via aircraft from Lagos to Ekiti State on behalf of Fayose, mere weeks before his re-election bid under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The sensational revelation unfolds amidst ongoing trials, with Abiodun Agbele, an aide to Fayose, facing charges over the said N1.2 billion. This colossal sum forms part of a larger case involving allegations of money laundering totaling N4.7 billion, purportedly diverted from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Detailing the intricate scheme, Obanikoro recounted receiving instructions from the then National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, regarding the payment of N2.2 billion into Sylvan Mcnamara Ltd, an account associated with Obanikoro.
“I was a minister in 2014 under Jonathan’s administration when the events unfolded. I received a call from Governor Fayose inquiring about a message from ONSA. Earlier, there had been fundraising activities for the election,” Obanikoro recounted.
He continued, “The NSA confirmed that N2.2 billion had been credited to Sylvan Mcnamara Ltd, and the funds came from the NSA. I cannot ascertain the fund’s source; only the NSA can clarify.”
Obanikoro elucidated his involvement in delivering N1.219 billion cash to Agbele for onward transmission to Fayose, emphasizing, “I did not retain any money. The funds were intended for Ekiti’s election campaign. The volume was so vast that Diamond Bank couldn’t facilitate its release, hence the decision to airlift the cash.”
The former minister’s testimony shed light on the logistical challenges faced, necessitating two separate airlifts from Lagos due to the sheer magnitude of the cash.
As the court adjourned for further proceedings on February 27, 2024, the revelations in this high-profile case continue to unravel a complex web of alleged financial transactions, raising pertinent questions about transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s political landscape.
