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EFCC Increases Charges Against Fayose’s Ally To 24
Published
2 months agoon
By
EditorThe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has increased the charges against Abiodun Agbele, an ally of a former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, from 11 to 24.
The EFCC had in 2016 arraigned Agbele, alongside a former Minister of State for Defence, Musliu Obanikoro; Sylvan Mcnamara Limited; Lt. A.O Adewale; Tunde Oshinowo and Olalekan Ogunseye (all at large) at a Federal High Court in Abuja on 11 charges of money laundering to the tune of N1.219bn.
The money is part of N4.7bn allegedly transferred from an account belonging to the Office of the National Security Adviser in the Central Bank of Nigeria.
In the amended charges, Agbele, Sylvan Mcnamara Limited, De Privateer Limited, and Spotless Investment Limited were listed as the first to fourth defendants.
The EFCC accused Agbele of indirectly accepting N1.219bn cash through an official of Zenith Bank in Akure from Obanikoro on behalf of Fayose in June 2014 without going through a financial institution.
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The EFCC said he committed an offence contrary to Section 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011(As Amended) and punishable under Section 1503) of the same Act.
The EFCC also accused Agbele of aiding De Privateer to commit an offence to take possession of N200m which formed part of N1.219bn, a proceed of money laundering on behalf of Ayo Fayose contrary to section Section 18(A) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 18 of the same act.
When the charges were read to him during the proceedings on Tuesday, he pleaded not guilty.
At the resumed trial, a former Central Bank of Nigeria official, Aliyu Mukadas, had while being led in evidence by counsel for the EFCC, Wahab Shittu told the court that a total sum of N4.15bn was paid to Sylvan Mcnamara Limited’s account.
At the proceedings in November 2023, a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro while giving evidence in the court stated that Sylvan Mcnamara Ltd’s account “was created to deal with the issue of Boko Haram in Lagos, the account was created by Taiwo Kareem and was used for the purpose of disbursing funds for election.”
READ ALSO: Man To Die By Hanging In Ekiti For Armed Robbery
Mukadas stated that money was paid in trances to the company’s Diamond Bank account.
The retired CBN staff also confirmed that the National Security Adviser maintains an account with the apex bank meant to fund security operations and not elections.
He said, “I worked with CBN for 30 years at its Abuja branch and banking services department where I retired last year.
“We effected payments to all ministries or departments. The Office of National Adviser is one of the agencies having an account with the CBN.
“The purpose of the NSA account is for security operations, not for election purposes.
“We paid N200m to Sylvan Mcnamara Limited through Diamond Bank.
We also paid N2bn, N700m, N1bn and N225m into Sylvan Mcnamara Limited.”
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When asked if he knew what the money was used for, Mukadas replied that he was not aware.
During cross-examination by Agbele’s counsel, Lekan Ojo (SAN)
Mukadas confirmed to the court that the payment mandate was verified before the payments were made.
When asked if the payment mandate showed the purpose for which the funds were to be paid to the company, the retired CBN official said, “For services rendered.”
He, however, said he had no suspicion the money was for fraudulent purposes.
Another witness called by the EFCC, a former Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, Peter Amagbo denied the bank funded the Ayo Fayose’s re-election campaign.
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He said, “We did not fund election for Ekiti state. We didn’t have any meetings with my chairman and Fayose. I have never seen Agbele before. I met Fayose once as MD/CEO. My second meeting with him was an ex-governor during a friend’s father’s funeral.”
Amagbo informed the court that the bank was with the state before the emergence of Fayose and sustained that during his tenure.
He said, “We had a relationship before Fayose and it was maintained during his time. ”
When asked if he was privy to all conversations or interactions between Fayose and the bank he said, “No. The governor deals with people in their location.”
When further asked since he was not privy to the conversation between Fayose and the bank, he was not in the position to know if the bank had promised to assist Fayose.
Amagbo said, “I am the head of the management of the bank. The chairman is a part-time member of the management. He needs my approval to do that and he knows that we do not sponsor elections.”
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, however, adjourned the matter till May 2, 2024, for the continuation of trial.
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EFCC Trial: ‘Even The Prophets Went To Prison’ – Buhari’s Minister Comforts Self In Court
Published
49 mins agoon
May 10, 2024By
EditorA former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, standing trial for an alleged N7.2bn fraud, said he was ready to go to prison just like the prophets.
Sirika, his daughter, and three others were arraigned at a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday on a six-count amended criminal charge before Justice Sylvanus Oriji.
A video of the ex-minister speaking in court with his lawyers surfaced on X on Thursday.
In the video, Sirika, dressed in cream Babariga, could be heard saying, “It’s okay. Fatima, it’s okay,” while comforting his daughter.
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He continued, “Even prophets have gone (to prison). Those that went, haven’t they finished theirs already?…whatever Allah says”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had accused the ex-minister, his daughter, son-in-law and Al-Duraq Investment Limited, of fraud in connection with the botched Nigerian Air project.
Meanwhile, the court granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of N100m with two sureties each.
Before the trial judge, Justice Sylvanus Orji granted the bail request of the defendants, they pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them after it was read out to them.
The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, had informed the court of an amended charge by the EFCC dated May 7, and filed on May 8, which was not opposed by the counsel for the defendants.
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Sirika’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court of his client’s bail application dated May 6.
The other defendants similarly, moved their bail applications and prayed the court to be liberal in the bail conditions.
Jacobs, on his part, told the court that all the defendants were on administrative bail and asked the court to grant bail on the condition that would make them appear for their trials.
Apart from the N100m bail, Justice Osuji added that one of the sureties must own a landed property with valid land titles in like sum within the Federal Capital Territory.
The judge also held that the sureties must depose to an affidavit of means while he barred the defendants from travelling outside the country without its permission.
He added that failure to fulfil the bail conditions would earn the defendants a stay in a correctional facility.
News
Tiktok Bans Nigerian Content Creator’s Account After Completing 24-hour Buried-alive Challenge [VIDEO]
Published
1 hour agoon
May 10, 2024By
EditorNigerian man, Young C, has been successfully exhumed after spending 24 hours buried alive in a coffin.
Young C began the challenge on Wednesday, May 8 and has completed it.
At several intervals, Young C gave updates from inside the coffin.
His challenge however led to TikTok permanently banning his account.
READ ALSO: VIDEO: Nigerian Man Exhumed After Completing 24-hour Buried Alive Challenge
After he was ‘’exhumed’, he cautioned viewers against attempting similar stunts due to the inherent dangers involved.
Watch a video of him being exhumed below
News
Former Super Eagles Player, Ibrahim Babangida Is Dead
Published
1 hour agoon
May 10, 2024By
EditorFormer Super Eagles star, Ibrahim Babangida has died in a car accident.
It was gathered that the car accident which happened along Zaria road, also involved the ex-Super Eagles brother, Tijani, his wife, son and maid.
However, only Babangida died in the auto accident, while others who were with him were taken to the hospital, where they are responding to treatment.
Tijani is president of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN).
READ ALSO: Ex-Rep Drags Wabote To EFCC Over Disbursement Of Funds For NCDMB Projects In Bayelsa
According to The Nation, a statement by the General Secretary of (PFAN), Emmanuel Babayaro, confirmed Ibrahim died in the crash.
Details later…
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