N4.7b Ekiti Election Fraud: Obanikoro's Wife ARRESTED, Grilled; Sons 2 Houses SEIZED

Alhaja Moroophat Onikoro, the wife of a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who has been in the United States since June, 2015 has been arrested by the Department of State Services has arrested,in connection with the N4.7bn allegedly diverted from the Office of the National Security Adviser,  News Punch has learnt reliably

Morooophat was arrested in front of her husband’s house located on Layi Ajayi-Bembe Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos on Thursday, Punch Newspaper confirms.

A DSS source according to Punch Newspaper said “We arrested Alhaja Onikoro this morning. Although she bears Onikoro, she is the wife of Obanikoro. She was arrested with some vital documents. She is currently in our office in Shangisha, Lagos, and will later be transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for more investigation.”

It was learnt that after interrogation at the EFCC office in Ikoyi, Lagos on Thursday, she was allowed to go home on condition that she would return on Friday (today).

“We released her after interrogation. The woman cooperated fully with us and we allowed her to go because we don’t hold people hostage. We asked her questions and she answered respectfully,” a source in the EFCC stated.

EFCC had, last month, raided the ex-minister’s house and made away with some documents said to have linked Obanikoro to the N4.7bn allegedly siphoned from the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The EFCC had also sealed a house belonging to Obanikoro’s two sons, Babajide and Gbolahan, on Banana Island.

Obanikoro’s wife, who was in the house at the time of the search, alleged that her rights were abused and had even sued the EFCC for N100m.

“When she sued the EFCC, she thought that would be the end of the matter. Unknown to her, we kept surveillance on the house and swiftly arrested her with the evidence we needed,” a source said.

EFCC investigations had revealed that N4.7bn was paid into a bank account of Sylvan McNamara, a company in which Obanikoro’s two sons are said to be directors.

About N1.219bn was allegedly flown to Akure on a private plane during the build-up to the 2014 Ekiti State governorship election, which was won by Governor Ayodele Fayose.

Fayose was alleged to have received the N1.219bn through his bosom friend, Abiodun Agbele, while the then governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, allegedly received N1.310bn through company accounts said to belong to him.

Omisore had since been arrested by the EFCC and is reported to be cooperating with detectives.

Obanikoro, who has been in the United States with his two sons for over 15 months, denied the allegations, insisting that the EFCC was concocting evidence against him and his family.

He had also dared the commission to extradite him if it had evidence against him.

The EFCC, however, said it was in possession of a CCTV footage which captured Obanikoro and three others loading the billions of naira unto a plane at the Lagos airport in 2014.

“Let Obanikoro keep making noise in the US instead of him to be a man and come and defend himself like others. He has finished his academic programme in the US since April but has refused to return to Nigeria because he knows he is guilty.

“Obanikoro has put his family in trouble by using his sons to launder money. In this age of BVN (Bank Verification Number), it is difficult to get away with bank fraud,” a reliable source said.

Meanwhile, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Apo, Abuja, will today hear a N500m suit filed by Abiodun Agbele, an ally of Fayose, seeking an order releasing him from the custody of the EFCC.

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Agbele was reportedly arrested on June 27 for his role in the handling of over N1.219bn on behalf of Fayose during the Ekiti State governorship election in 2014.

The money was said to have been part of the N4.7bn that was siphoned from the imprest account of the ONSA and deposited in the company accounts of Obanikoro’s sons.

In the suit filed on his behalf by his lawyers – Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Olalekan Ojo –Agbele urged the court to declare his arrest and detention as unlawful and award N500m as compensatory damages against the EFCC for his unlawful arrest and detention.

Agbele argued, in the fundamental rights enforcement suit, that his arrest and continued detention beyond the 48 hours allowed by the Constitution, amounted to a  violation of his rights to freedom of liberty, human dignity and the right to acquire and own properties.

He said unless and except the court came to his rescue, the EFCC would continue to infringe on his rights to freedom of liberty.

At the hearing of the case on Thursday, EFCC’s counsel, Raymond Ezekiel, urged the court to adjourn hearing in the suit till Friday to enable him to file his counter-affidavit to the suit.

Ezekiel said the case file was only handed over to him on Wednesday, and as such, needed time to respond to the constitutional issues raised by the applicant in the suit.

Ozekhome had opposed an adjournment, arguing that the suit, being a fundamental rights enforcement suit, required prompt hearing.

But he later agreed that the respondent’s counsel be allowed time to respond.

Justice Adeniyi subsequently fixed Friday for hearing in the suit.

At last, Fayose Confesses Ownership of Houses Bought With Stolen N1.3b Amidst Earlier Denial

Yesterday, Mr. Ayo Fayose, the governor of Ekiti state attempted to pre-empt the EFCC over the illegal acquisition of properties bought with stolen funds from the coffers of a state that has not been able to pay workers' salaries for over six months. As soon as he got information that some his detained agents had confessed that they assisted him to buy properties in Lagos and Abuja he issued a statement to the effect that he owns the properties legitimately.  How legitimate?

Not knowing that his agents and  contractors had admitted that he stole Ekiti state funds to purchase the properties Mr. Fayose claimed that he bought them from the "campaign fund' donated to him by zenith bank plc and some unnamed friends. But the efcc has since confirmed how Ekiti people were duped by the lousy governor.

This guy must be so confused that he does not appreciate the legal implications of his stupid outbursts. The more he talks the more he implicates himself. Whether the N1.2 billion was stolen from the office of the NSA, Colonel Sambo Dasuki through Mr. Obanikoro or donated by zenith bank plc the efcc has the power to recover the criminally diverted fund. Granted that zenith bank plc donated the fund does the financial institution have the power to remove depositors' fund and donate it to Mr. Fayose for his political  campaign? Can a bank contribute N1.2 billion to a political campaign of a politician?

Has Mike Ozekhome SAN forgotten to educate his client whose confessional statements are sufficient to convict him in a court of law. Is Ozekhome not aware that the maximum amount stipulate for political expenses  of a governorship candidate  is N200 million whereas his client has admitted that he spent N1.2 billion? Has Ozekhome not made it clear to his client that the N1.2 billion is forfeitable since it was either stolen from the office of the NSA or from the vault of a bank being depositors' fund?

However, the efcc must be commended for carrying out a professional investigation which is so thorough that the explanations of the suspect, Mr. Fayose, look so unintelligent. Surely, Mr. Fayose stands to forfeit all the properties and other  assets traced to the campaign fund of  N1.2 billion, whether stolen from the government of Nigeria or donated illegally by  zenith bank plc. But since the efcc has shown that the money for the properties was stolen from the account of Ekiti state government through contractors, what is the explanation of Mr. stomach infrastructure?

Mr. Fayose claimed that the N1.2 billion traced to him was donated by zenith bank and unnamed friends. He said that he spent the entire fund on his election. Now, the efcc has found and confirmed  that he bought properties worth N1.35 billion within 6 months of his inauguration. Will Mr. Fayose or his lawyer, Mr. Ozekhome add up the figures for the members of the public?

Sina Odugbemi

Coordinator, Value and Integrity Group

Culled from Sahara Reporters

#FayoseGate: How He Bought N1.3b Houses Within 6 Months In Office, 4 Cohorts Volunteer To 'Confess'

Detectives have uncovered how Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose bought N1.35billion properties within six months in office.

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.

On-going Anti-Fayose Protesters Lock Down Ekiti, Seek The Gov.'s Resignation

Monitored by heavy police presence, some protesters have locked down Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital demanding the resignation of the embattled Governor, Ayodele Fayose.

The protesters chanting various anti- Fayose songs as they march around the city with different captioned placards.

The anti-graft agency is investigating Fayose over the sum of N1.2 billion which he allegedly collected from detained former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), through former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who is currently on self exile in the USA.

Some of the contractors from who Fayose got some kickback are resolved to open up and tender evidence

A source said: “EFCC has discovered payments to Signachorr and Stillearth Ltd., which sold property to Fayose, from Abbey’s account. In scrutinising Stillearth and Signachorr bank accounts, the commission discovered payment by Samchase Ltd., a contractor to the Ekiti State Government. Other three companies are also listed as paying for properties for Fayose.

“Stillearth and Signochorr claim payments by Privateer Ltd of Abbey Agbele and Simcheese are payments for property sold to Fayose by Stillearth.

“Fayose now fights Stillearth and Signachorr, accusing its owner of colluding with EFCC to make a case against him – just the same way he fights dirty with Zenith Bank, which he accused of funding his campaign but which the bank has vehemently denied.”

An official of Stillearth and Signachorr, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the company is cooperating with EFCC on the matter. He said they couldn’t have done otherwise because “as a reputable company we have to cooperate with law enforcement agencies but I can assure you that we have done nothing wrong.”

The man said the company will not hide anything from EFCC since it was they engaged in a genuine transaction and did not know that the money Fayose paid was from kick-back or from the NSA’s Office.

He said: “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 company chief accused Fayose of “trying to bring down people because he knows he is falling and has a failing government.”

See More Photos:

Fayose's 7 Multi-billion Naira Houses EXPOSED; How EFCC Used The Gov's Woman Ally To Trap Aide, Agbele

More facts have begun to surface on how the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Ayodele Fayose acquired properties from the slush fund allegedly got from the former National Security Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Colonel Sambo Dasuki.

The Eagle Online reports suggests that no fewer than seven houses have allegedly been purchased by Governor Ayo Fayose since he returned to power in 2014, sources close to the investigation of the Ekiti State helmsman have revealed.

And some of them, including one worth N1.2 billion in Lagos State, were said to have had their transactions handled for Fayose by his close ally, Abiodun Agbele, who is popularly called Abbey.

Agbele was arrested on June 27 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

It was learnt that Agbele’s arrest was facilitated by a socialite Lagos-based lady, who is close to Fayose and simply identified as Oyin, when he went to pick up the papers for the N1.2 billion house located on Victoria Island.

The documents were meant to be altered so they do not read Fayose’s name again.

However, when Agbele got to the office of Oyin, whose business name is said to be “Safe Haven”, the lady kept him waiting until operatives of the EFCC, whom she had informed of his presence by telephone, arrived.

It was gathered that the EFCC had also closed in on Oyin over some of the Fayose deals and the only saving grace for her was to deliver Agbele to the anti-graft agency.

Oyin allegedly facilitated the purchase of the Victoria Island property, TheEagleOnline reports

BREAKING: Gov. Fayose Close Aide ARRESTED By EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested one Mr. Abiodun Agbele, a close aide of Governor Ayodele Fayose

He was reportedly arrested in Lagos by operatives of the EFCC who had been on his trail in the past one week over allegations that he received huge public funds from former Minister Musiliu Obanikoro and delivered same to Mr. Fayose.

Agbele is currently being detained at the Lagos office of the anti-graft commission.

In confirmation to Agbele's arrested, Lere Olayinka, a spokesperson for Governor Fayose said in a statement that;

“Our attention has been drawn to the arrest of Mr Abiodun Agbele by the EFCC and we wish to say that we encourage the EFCC to carry out its investigations without politics as it is being done now.

“It must be pointed out that at no time was Mr Abiodun Agbele invited by the EFCC, and if he had been invited, he would have honoured the invitation. Therefore, there is nothing to celebrate in his arrest if it is not political.

“As already pointed out, Governor Ayodele Fayose does not have anything to do with any fund from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). He has stated how his election was funded and Zenith Bank that he said funded his election has not denied doing so.

“Also, the person said to have been arrested is an adult and will defend himself when the time comes. Subjecting him to media trial as EFCC has been doing since the inception of this government will only give our adversaries momentary sense of joy.

“We await reports of EFCC investigations and we hope that the anti-corruption agency will be civil enough to allow an open and transparent trial in competent court of law and not media trial just

to get at Governor Fayose because of his uncompromising stance against the misrule of the APC/Buhari led federal government.

“Whatever stories being circulated by the EFCC and its political allies can at best be regarded as rumour as we were all in Nigeria when Nigerians were told that $700m cash was found in the House of Mrs Diezani Allison Madueke and the story turned out to be lie.

“Finally, like we have maintained, Governor Fayose will remain resolute

in making his opinions known on national issues and will not be

intimidated.”

Fayose Spending Ekiti Money In Olosho Night Club, Protesters Placard In Ongoing Mass Protest In Ekiti

Massive protest reportedly ongoing in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital by members of Ekiti state civil society, declaring their support for the anti-corruption fight by President Buhari and also demanding financial accountability from Governor Fayose, News Punch has learnt

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PDP Crisis: Sheriff 'SEIZES' Party's Bank Accounts, Reveals His '2019 Agenda'

The embattled national and factional chairman of the Opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff may have seized the party's bank accounts from the reach of the Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee.

This disclosure was made by Sheriff on Thursday at a press briefing in Abuja stating he and the treasurer under the sacked National Working Committee, NWC, are the signatories to the party’s bank account. He further stressed that his team and not the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee is signatory to the party’s account.

He said, “Myself and the Treasurer who is also a member of the NWC are signatories to the bank accounts of the PDP. Makarfi may also open another account in the name of his caretaker committee if he wished.

“There is only one PDP, which is the one under my leadership. Anyone who thinks the Makarfi contraption can work is deceiving himself. I am the only chairman of the PDP recognised by the courts, the constitution and the Electoral Act.”

The embattled leader also criticised the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose over his public conduct, describing it as shameful.

Sheriff denied report sthat he wanted to run for President, stressing that he didn’t promise anybody the Vice President’s slot.

He was reacting to Fayose’s comment that he was sacked as the National leader of the opposition party because he was scheming for the 2019 presidential ticket and was allegedly teasing some party chieftains with the slot of the Vice Presidential candidate.

“I am ashamed at the way and manner Fayose is conducting himself in the country. I was once a governor; so, I know that the position of governor is a very serious one that demands responsible behaviour.

“I never told anybody I wanted to run for president and I did not promise anybody the vice presidential ticket. I have decided not to join issues with Fayose.”