Alleged N6.9bn Fraud: Witness Testifies Ex-NSA Dasuki Gave Former Ekiti Governor Fayose N1.2bn to Conceal Fraudulent Transaction
By Omowumi Omotosho
The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday re-arraigned former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose and Spotless Investment Limited. The re-arraignment involves an 11-count charge related to money laundering and theft amounting to N6.9 billion.
Initially arraigned on October 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, the case resumed with testimony from a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.
Obanikoro testified that he was directed by the then National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, to transfer N1.2 billion to Fayose from an account meant for Boko Haram Special Intervention funds.
Obanikoro stated that the N1.2 billion was first moved from the NSA’s imprest account into the intervention account.
EFCC investigator Madaki testified that, contrary to Fayose’s claims that the money was a campaign donation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the funds were traced back to the NSA’s office and were originally allocated for purchasing security equipment.
During Monday’s proceedings, Madaki, under cross-examination by Olalekan Ojo, SAN, counsel to the second defendant, confirmed that no relevant transaction to the charge was personally conducted by the first defendant.
When questioned if he had testified that he did not witness any transactions, Madaki clarified, “I only said it was in the course of the investigations.”
Further, under cross-examination, Madaki confirmed that all conclusions presented to the court, including investigative findings, were based on factual evidence, stating, “Yes, including documents recovered in the course of investigations.”
When inquired about an individual named “Eruka,” Madaki confirmed that a statement was obtained from him during the investigation. However, when asked if Eruka was in Abuja on the same day Obanikoro claimed to be there, prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, objected, arguing the witness could not testify on an extra-judicial statement from a deceased person.
The trial judge ruled that the witness should answer in the interest of justice. Madaki responded, “I can’t find the part where it was stated.” When asked if he saw any document where Fayose acknowledged receiving money in dollars from Obanikoro, he replied, “No.”
Under cross-examination by Ola Olanipekun, SAN, counsel to the first defendant, Madaki confirmed his earlier testimony that N4.6 billion was transferred by Dasuki to Sivan Macnamara. He explained that the transfer was made from the NSA’s imprest account to Macnamara’s Diamond Bank account.
Olanipekun then questioned why, if the funds were meant for Fayose, the transfer was not made directly to him. Madaki replied, “Questions were asked, and investigations showed that it was meant to disguise the source of the money; so, it was given by cash to avoid traces.” The case has been adjourned to July 19, 2024, and October 17 and 18, 2024, for the continuation of the trial.
