The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday discharged Musiliu Obanikoro, a former Minister of State for Defence, as a witness in the trial of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose.
Under cross examination by counsel for Spotless Limited, Fayose’s co-accused, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), Obanikoro said there was no documentary evidence to prove his claims against the former governor.
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Fayose is being tried for allegedly receiving and keeping N1.2billion and $5million allegedly stolen from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) contrary to the Money Laundering Act.
He pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned on an 11-count charge last October 22.
According to the EFCC, Fayose and Biodun Agbele, who is facing a different charge, allegedly took possession of N1,219,000, 000 on June 17, 2014 to fund the former governor’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign.
The commission said Fayose “reasonably ought to have known” that the money “formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing.”
Fayose was also said to have received cash payment of $5million from Obanikoro, without going through a financial institution, the sum having exceeded the amount authorised by law.
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