Witness tells court how Fayose’s associate moved N1.2bn
By Peter Fowoyo, Lagos
A prosecution witness, Sunday Alade in the ongoing trial of former Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose on Monday told a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos how N1.2 billion was allegedly moved by an associate of the erstwhile governor into a new generation bank.
Alade, the 11th prosecution witness was the said bank’s branch manager in Akure in 2014 when the N1.2 billion was allegedly moved to his branch.
Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the witness said he got a call from his head of operations asking him to prepare to head to Akure Airport to receive a huge consignment of cash from a customer.
“On the June 17, 2014, I was in my office in Zenith Bank, Akure. I received a call from my head of operations, Abiodun Oshodi that a customer would be coming to make deposit into his account with the bank.
“He said in order to provide security, we should arrange for a bullion van to go to the airport to pick the cash. After an hour, Oshodi came and said the customer had arrived. He introduced Abiodun Agbele as the customer.
“He said we should prepare to go to the airport. I asked for time to arrange for security, but they said that won’t be necessary as they had sufficient security. They came with mobile policemen and some soldiers in a Toyota Hilux van,” Alade said.
The witness said he joined Oshodi and Agbele to the airport, along with the bullion van and the security men.
He added that “at the airport, we waited for a few minutes before the arrival of the aircraft. Three individuals came out of the aircraft. Two of them walked away. The remaining person introduced himself as O. Adewale. The cash was offloaded into the bullion van and we drove to Zenith Bank, Akure.”
He said when they arrived at the bank, the money was counted in the presence of Oshodi, Adewale, Agbele and himself, adding that “the money was counted. It was N724 million. We were informed that there was a balance. We went back to the airport and picked N494 million the second time.
“The total cash amounted to N1.219 billion. Another aircraft brought the N494 million. I gathered that the cash was lodged into three bank accounts – those of De-Privateer, Spotless Investment and Ayodele Fayose. I also understand some cash was taken away that day by Mr. Agbele.”
Asked who Adewale was, he answered that Adewale introduced himself as Obanikoro’s aide-de-camp. Similarly, when asked if he knew those who walked away from the aircraft when it landed, the witness said “one of them resembled Obanikoro. I never met him in person. But, he resembled the person I have seen on television and in newspapers.”
Under cross examination by defence counsel, Ola Olanipekun (SAN) and Olalekan Ojo (SAN), the witness said he was unaware of where the money came from and questioned further if he knew what the money was meant for, he answered in the negative.
The witness said it took 10 days to process the cash.
Fayose had pleaded not guilty to an 11-count charge when he was arraigned on October 22 last year.
Meanwhile, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun has adjourned the matter to May 10 and 14 for continuation of trial.
