At the continuation of trial of the N2.2bn fraud allegation against the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, a banker, Johnson Abidakun, dring his examination-in-chief, narrated how N200million cash was transferred from the residence of the ex-g0vernor to the bank.
According to Abidakun, who was Zenith bank’s operation manager in one of the branches in Ado Ekiti, Fayose invited his bank in April 2016 to move the N200m cash from his residence to be lodged in an account in the bank.
The banker, who was led in evidence by a member of the prosecuting team for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Adebisi Adeniyi, said the transaction began with a call on April 16, 2016, from his Zonal Head, Dr Abiodun Oshode, instructing him about the need to move N200m cash from Fayose’s residence down to the bank.
During the examination-in-chief, which was led by Adesisbi Adeniyi, member of the prosecution team, Abidakun said,
“I received a call from my Zonal Head, Dr Abiodun Oshode, that there was an assignment to be carried out; that there was a sum of N200m to be moved from the residence of the then governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose; that we had to go and move the cash urgently and I immediately called upon the cash officer to arrange for policemen. The policemen arrived after 30 minutes. We arranged for their payment and called it police money. We also arranged for the cash driver and the cash movers.
“So, they set out for the assignment. After about one hour, they came back with the money and the money was counted and ascertained to be N199.5m as against N200m. While detailed counting of the money was going on, Mr Abiodun Agbele came in with one other man, Mr Taofeek.
“I know Mr Abiodun Agbele to be close to the governor but I don’t know his position; he gave instructions that the money should be credited into the account of Still Earth Nigeria Limited and that the depositor was Mr Taofeek.
“At the point of posting, I discovered that the deposit slip was filled by my subordinate, Oputu Okeimute. I asked him why he filled the deposit slip and he said the depositor could not read or write. After that, the money was credited into the account of Still Earth.”
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However, during cross-examination which was conducted by the counsel to ex-governor Fayose, Mr Ola Olanipekun (SAN), the witness disclosed that he was not among the team that went to Fayose’s residence, stating that he delegated Adewale Aladegbola to lead the team.
“Aladegbola was the only one that knew the destination. I didn’t tell him the amount of money but he led the team.
“When they came back, they didn’t tell me that they met the first defendant (Fayose),” the witness added.
The case was then adjourned till Friday, March 6, 2020, for continuation of trial.
Ex-Governor Fayose and Spotless Investment Limited, are both facing an 11-count charge of criminal breach of trust, theft and money laundering.