Former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro testified as a witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose. Obanikoro revealed in a Federal High Court in Abuja that a substantial sum of N1.219 billion in cash was airlifted to support Fayose’s election campaign in 2014. The former minister stated that he received the money from the then National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki.
Obanikoro narrated that the decision to airlift the funds arose due to the inability of Diamond Bank to handle such a significant amount. He clarified that the information about the money came from Dasuki, who informed him that the funds had been deposited into the account of Sylvan Mcnamara Limited. The former minister emphasized that only the NSA could explain the source of the funds.
During his testimony, Obanikoro recounted a call he received from Fayose days before the Ekiti State election in 2014. The governor inquired about a message from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). The former minister then communicated with Dasuki, who disclosed that N2.2 billion had been deposited into the Sylvan Mcnamara Limited account.
To overcome the challenge posed by Diamond Bank’s incapacity to handle the funds, the decision to airlift the money was made. Obanikoro stated that he handed over the cash to Agbele, an associate of Fayose, for onward delivery to the former governor. Contrary to some publications, Obanikoro denied taking any money or N19 million.
Responding to questions about his relationship with Sylvan Mcnamara Limited, Obanikoro explained that the account was initially opened to address the issue of Boko Haram in Lagos. Subsequently, the account was repurposed for disbursing funds for elections. The former minister informed Fayose about the money being paid, considering that Diamond Bank lacked the capacity to make the funds available promptly.
The trial, part of the EFCC’s case against Fayose involving alleged N6.9 billion money laundering, has been adjourned to February 27, 2024, following Obanikoro’s testimony.
