The five properties include four duplexes in Lagos and one in Abuja, Abusidiqu reports
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned three more people for quizzing on Friday in respect of the ongoing investigation of the governor.
One of those invited, Oyin Daramola, who is an estate agent, is said to have told the EFCC team that she did a legitimate business.
She said she had never been fraudulent in all her business transactions.
Besides, Dramola, two others are to present evidence of their business fidelity.
Ahead of the Friday session, the anti-graft agency has relocated Fayose’s associate, Abiodun Agbele, from Lagos to Abuja.
The governor was inaugurated on October 16, 2014 but by April 2015, he had acquired the properties in Lagos and Abuja.
The four duplexes, which were bought at $1.3m each, are located on Tiamiyu Savage Street on Victoria Island in Lagos.
Each of the mansions is a four-bedroom duplex.
According to EFCC’s findings, while chalets 3 and 4 were purchased through Siqnathor, chalets 6 and 9 were owned by Noga Hotel
The fifth duplex was bought from the Skye Bank Plc at N200million.
Although the transactions were handled by Still Earth belonging to Oyin Daramola, the governor has refused to pay estate agency fees up till the time of filing this report.
Instead, he offered to pay fees through the award of contracts to the estate agent in Ekiti State to defray the commission on the five properties.
Agbele allegedly brokered the deals.
Another source, who was privy to the preliminary investigation, said: “They approached Oyin Daramola through Abiodun Agbele whom she knew in Ibadan.
“Upon seeing Agbele who came to seek assistance to buy the four duplexes in Lagos, it was obvious he was looking so poor and could not afford the huge cost.
“ Agbele then said his friend, who wanted the duplexes, will call her. It was then Fayose later called Oyin Daramola. We have the call logs and the transcript of the conversation or negotiation already.
“Investigation confirmed that Fayose did not pay the agency fees but only offered to give contracts to Still Earth belonging to Daramola in Ekiti State to pay the required fees.
“Unknowingly, he wanted to award the contracts for kick-back to feather his nest.”
For questioning are Daramola of Still Earth, her former accountant and a consultant, simply called Titilayo of Philberth company.
“We are going to interact with these three people on Friday as part of the ongoing investigation of the governor. We had a preliminary interface with Daramola, who was innocently manipulated by Agbele and the governor for a legitimate business,” the EFCC source said.
Daramola reportedly told the EFCC team: “I did legitimate business, I am not fraudulent. I don’t do dirty business deals.
“You can check my background and business records, I have never been involved in shady transactions. Even the purchase of the duplexes, I made sure every process is documented without cutting corners. I have no cause to live a dubious life.”
Meanwhile, the owners of the houses traced to him has vowed to cooperate with the Anti-Graft Agency as it forges ahead to probe sources of funding of his 2014 governorship election.
A top official of Still Earth Ltd and Signachorr Nigeria Ltd, that sold one of the properties to Mr. Fayose, said contrary to alarm being raised, the Governor actually bought a property in Lagos at the cost of N550 million.
According to the source, Mr. Fayose paid a deposit of N400 million for the said property through his close ally, Abiodun Agbele, popularly known as Abbey, promising to pay the balance.
However, rather than paying the balance of N150 million through the same person that made the deposit or by himself, it was paid through a company, Samchese Nigeria Limited.
Unfortunately for Mr. Fayose, the EFCC has now discovered that the said Samchese Nigeria Limited is a contractor to Ekiti state Government, fuelling speculation that it was a kick-back due to the Governor.
The official of Still Earth Ltd and Signachorr Nigeria Ltd, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the company will not hide anything from the EFCC since it was a genuine transaction and they didn’t know the money Fayose paid was from kick-back or NSA Office.
“I want to tell you that we are a reputable company and have nothing to hide. We engaged in genuine transaction with Mr. Fayose and all the documents are there.
“We will not hide anything from the EFCC or any government agency that may be interested in the matter because our hands are clean.
“Nobody is trying to implicate the Governor, he should own up now because we are not ready to play any dirty game with him as he did with Zenith Bank,” the source said.
It will be recalled that in an affidavit in support of freezing of Fayose’s account, the EFCC stated:
“That apart from fraudulently retaining the sum of N1, 219,490,000.00 being part of the N4, 745,000,000.00 stolen from the treasury of the Federal Government through the office of the National Security Adviser, the Applicant (Fayose) has also received gratification in form of kick back from various contractors with the Ekiti State Government, such as Samchese Nigeria Ltd, Tender Branch Concept Nig. Ltd, Hoff Concept Ltd, Calibre Consulting Ltd.
“That the Applicant received these kick-backs and gratification through Still Earth Ltd and Signachorr Nigeria Ltd.
“That, in turn, the Applicant (Fayose) instructed the Still Earth Ltd and Signachoor Nigeria Ltd to use the funds to acquire properties for him.
“That in complying with the Applicant’s instruction, Still Earth Ltd and Signachoor Nigeria Ltd, acquired properties on behalf of the Applicant in the name of a company known as J.J. Technical Services Ltd belonging to the applicant and his wife. Attached and marked Exhibit EFCC 08 are copies of the deeds of assignment for the said properties.
The N1.2 billon being investigated is believed to be part of $2.1 billion meant for arms purchase but diverted for political purposes by the presidency through the office of erstwhile NSA Sambo Dasuki.
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