The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered another $5million (N1.040billion) cash allegedly handed to Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose by former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.
The said cash was part of the N4.7billion funds traced to Obanikoro’s company, Sylva McNamara.
Out of the $5 million, EFCC’s investigation by the EFCC has shown how Fayose allegedly gave his associate, Abiodun Agbele, over $1million as part-payment for the acquisition of four chalets in Lagos.
Problem started when Agbele took the $1million to a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, Ahmed Uba, who transferred the cash to Still Earth as part-payment for the properties.
Ekiti State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General Kolapo Kolade, during interrogations, admitted that he facilitated the agreements for the four properties.
The Nation quoted a top source in the commission as saying that Fayose allegedly received N1.219billion from Obanikoro.
The source added that the Ekiti governor also got another $5m cash (N1.040billion) from the ex-minister.
“Our investigation so far has shown that out of the $5m Fayose gave Agbele $1million which Agbele gave to a BDC operator who transferred the money to Still Earth as part-payment for the properties bought.
“Going through the accounts of Fayose, you could see a lot of transactions. Kolapo Kolade , now a commissioner in Fayose’s cabinet was the one who arranged the agreement between Still Earth and J.J. Technical.
“We have interrogated the owner of the BDC Jamil Uba, who told us how he asked his staff to attend to Agbele. Jamil said ‘I instructed Abba Ahmed Uba to transfer the money into Still Earth accounts because Abba Ahmed Uba was working under me that day when Agbele sold $1million at the rate of N208, which is equivalent of N208million.”
“Agbele got Maroun Mechleb, a Lebanese and contractor to the Ekiti State Government to provide a company, J.J. Technicals Services Limited whose name was used in making the agreement for the sale of the four chalets in Victoria Island by Still Earth.
“J.J. Technicals Services belongs to Maroun Mechleb’s junior brother, Joseph and his brother-in-law. They gave him the company’s document to help them prospect for contracts in Ekiti State. He gave the company’s document to Agbele without their knowledge.”
“I noticed that Still Earth Company newly bought the property from Noga and had not perfected their papers.
“The staff of Still Earth said they could get Noga Hotels to make an agreement directly with my clients, J.J. Technicals so that they don’t do double consent but the money she asked for was ridiculously high and going through the document, I saw that the lawyer that acted for Noga Hotels is one Adekunle Ojo, who incidentally is my friend.
“I told my client, who asked me to discuss with Lawyer Adekunle Ojo if he could work on the agreement between Noga Hotels and J.J. Technicals Services. I called Mr. Adekunle Ojo, he agreed , he said his chambers will collect N500,000 if he did that. I told my client, they said he should go ahead.
“The money was given to me and I paid it into his account. When the documents were ready, he handed them over to me and I handed them over to Agbele and one white man who both came to me to collect same.
“The white man signed and they took the agreement away and gave me N500,000 as my fees. That is all I know about the first two chalets.
“After about two months or thereabout, Agbele called me that he has given my number to the Still Earth people and they will call me. Later that day, someone from Still Earth called me that I should send my e-mail address. I did and the person sent to me an offer letter in respect of yet another two chalets in the same estate on Victoria Island.
“I told Agbele and he said I should accept the offer. I did by replying the e-mail. I didn’t hear anything again until one day Agbele called me again that I should help him collect documents from Still Earth Limited in respect of the two chalets.
“This second set of agreements was made between a company called Signachorr and J.J. Technicals Services. I took them to Ado-Ekiti and handed them over to Agbele. The white man did not come with him the second time.
“Agbele said I should help him approach Mr. Adekunle Ojo to help him write an agreement between Noga Hotels and J.J. Technical Services. I did and Mr. Adekunle Ojo sent the second set of agreement . I was also given N500,000 for him which I also paid into his account. I was also paid N500,00 for my efforts.
“When I approached Mr. Adekunle Ojo to help write an agreement between Noga Hotels and J.J. Technicals in respect of the two sets of agreement, he demanded for copies of the agreement between Still Earth and J.J. Technicals as a confirmation that J.J . Technicals actually bought from Still Earth.
“I was given a copy of the agreement to give him and I actually gave him. He also called to inform me that he also confirmed from Still Earth that J.J. Technical actually bought the properties before agreeing to prepare the agreements. I don’t know who J.J. Technical is.”
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