News

Obanikoro Testifies Against Fayose, Says Ex-Ekiti Gov Got N1.2bn For Election

Published

2 years ago

November 29, 2023

A former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, on Wednesday, narrated to a Federal High Court in Abuja how N1.219bn cash was airlifted to support the election of a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose.

According to him, the inability of a defunct bank, Diamond Bank, to handle huge amount of money prompted the airlifting of the money.

Fayose and Spotless Investment Limited are standing trial on 11 charges bordering on money laundering and stealing to the tune of N6.9 billion.

Led in evidence by the counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Wahab Shittu (SAN), Obanikoro explained that the money came from the former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (retd.), adding that only he could explain its source.

He added that he only got the information about the money from Dasuki, saying that it was the former NSA who told him that the said money had been paid into the account of Sylvan Mcnamara Limited.

Obanikoro said, “I was a minister under Jonathan’s administration in 2014. Sometime in 2014, we were going to have an election in Ekiti State. I was saddled with the responsibility of coordinating the activities in the election.

“Some days before the election, I got a call from Gov. Fayose asking me if I received any message for him from ONSA, I can recall that prior to that, we had some activities among which was fundraising for that election.”

He also denied taking out the money as speculated in a report by an online media platform.

Obanikoro said, “When Mr. Fayose called, I told him I would call him later. I had a call conversation with the NSA and was told he would get back to me. After, he got back to me that N2.2 billion was paid into the account of Sylvan Mcnamara Lomited..

“The money came came from the NSA. Only the NSA can explain the source of the fund.

The bank lacked the capacity to handle the situation. It was a last-minute decision- to ferry the money to Ekiti.

“I handed over the cash to Agbele for onward delivery to Fayose. I did not take any money or N19 million, contrary to the publication by a Lagos-based online platform.”

When asked about his relationship with Sylvan Mcnamara Limited, Obanikoro said the account was initially opened to tackle terrorism in Lagos after which it was used to disburse funds for elections.

He said, “The account was created to deal with the issue of Boko Haram in Lagos, the account was created by Taiwo Kareem, and the account was used for the purpose of disbursing funds for election.

“I put a call through to let Fayose know that the money had been paid. Diamond Bank had said it did not have the capacity to make the funds available, so we opted to airlift the fund. The funds were airlifted from Lagos in two tranches, the volume was much.”

After listening to Obanikoro’s testimony, the presiding judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba adjourned the case till February 27, 2024.

News

Journalists Are Indispensable Companions, Says Osun Amotekun Commander

Published

3 hours ago

September 19, 2025

Editor

Osun State Commander of the Western Nigeria Security Network and Amotekun Corps, Chief Adekunle Omoyele, has described journalists as indispensable companions for any organisation or individual who is poised to succeed

Dr. Omoyele, who spoke while receiving the executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, OSBC Chapel, expressed his commitment to maintaining a cordial relationship with journalists.

The Commander, who has been partnering with the union since he assumed his present position, also used the avenue to express his readiness to collaborate with men of the pen professional to ensure the forthcoming press-week of NUJ, OSBC Chapel is successful.

Omoyele, while expressing his readiness to host the Church Service ushering in the 2025 Press Week of the NUJ, OSBC Chapel, slated for September 28, 2025,
appreciated the union for maintaining and sustaining the cordiality between the two organisations.

Earlier in his remarks, chairman of the chapel, Comrade Lateef Agboola, informed the Amotekun Commander that his team was in his office to renew the cordial relationship between the Amotekun Osun and the NUJ, OSBC Chapel.

Agboola felicitated with Dr Omoyele on his installation as the Onijegun of Ijegun, Iseyin, by the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola, Olayeri the third, in May this year.

Other executive members of the entourage were: Deputy Chairman of the chapel, Comrade Olawumi Olaniyi; General Secretary, Comrade Kamil Raheem and the treasurer, Comrade Bukola Osunwo.

Highlight of the visit was the presentation of the frame to Dr Omoyele to identify with him on his installation as the Onijegun of Ijegun in Iseyin.

News

Edo Seals Market Square Over Unpaid Taxes

Published

3 hours ago

September 19, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Internal Revenue Service has sealed the premises of Market Square over alleged N27m million naira unpaid taxes.

In a statement on Friday, Edo EIRS Head, Corporate Communications, Courage Eboigbe, said the outstanding sum was as a result of an audit conducted by the EIRS on Market Square, covering the period from 2018 to 2023 for Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) and Withholding Tax liabilities.

The statement read: “The Edo State Internal Revenue Service on Friday, September 19, 2025, sealed the premises of Market Square (Sunday Foods) for non-payment of taxes amounting to N27,005,117.97.

“The outstanding sum is the result of an audit exercise conducted by the EIRS on Market Square, covering the period from 2018 to 2023 for Pay-As-You-Earn and Withholding Tax liabilities.

“The audit findings and subsequent tax assessment were communicated to the company. As Market Square did not object to this assessment, it became final and conclusive.

“Following the company’s refusal to settle its debt, the revenue service has now, pursuant to a court order, sealed the premises to recover the outstanding tax due to the Edo State Government.

“The EIRS is prepared to unseal the premises immediately upon confirmation of full payment.’

Eboigbe, who said payment of taxes is a fundamental civic responsibility for all individuals and organizations engaged in economic activities in Edo State, stated that tax revenue is essential for the government to provide critical infrastructure and services for the public.

While noting that tax compliance significantly enhances business operations and upholds a positive corporate image, he said that EIRS commends all compliant taxpayers and urged others to meet their tax obligations promptly.

News

Bauchi Attorney-General Says GBV Is A Pressing Human Right Issue

Published

5 hours ago

September 19, 2025

Editor

Hassan El-Yakub, the Bauchi State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, has described Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as one of the most pressing human rights concerns in the state.

El-Yakub made the remark in Bauchi on Friday, during a two-day training on enhancing access to justice and strengthening investigative and prosecutorial skills in GBV cases.

Represented by Yusuf Adamu, the State Solicitor and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, El-Yakub noted that although Bauchi State has enacted laws and policies to tackle the menace, more needs to be done through collaboration among stakeholders.

The training brought together investigators, prosecutors, judicial officers, and civil society actors.

The training focused on improving knowledge of GBV laws and case law, while equipping investigators with skills in evidence collection, forensic documentation, and maintaining the chain of custody.

Participants also received training on strengthening prosecutorial capacity in framing charges, presenting medical evidence, and securing convictions, with an emphasis on survivor-centered justice that balances restorative and punitive measures.

Speaking before the training, Ms Deborah Tabara, Gender and Reproductive Health Analyst, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), commended the Ministry of Justice for engaging critical stakeholders.

Tabara, also the state’s Programme Officer, UNFPA, acknowledged that managing GBV cases remained a challenge, adding that training provides a strategy to bridge existing gaps.

Similarly, Maimuna Ibrahim, the Ministry’s Gender Desk Officer, disclosed that most cases recorded by the ministry involved sexual violence and the torture of minors.

Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, the State Office of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD).