The funds diverted from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) were intended for addressing security concerns in Ekiti State, rather than financing election activities, a witness testified in court.
Aliyu Muhammed Abdulmukadaddas, the 14th prosecution witness (PW14) in the trial of Abiodun Agbele, a former aide to the ex-governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, revealed this information on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Abdulmukadaddas made these statements before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
During his testimony led by prosecution counsel Wahab Shittu, SAN, Abdulmukadaddas, a retired Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) staff, confirmed the transfer of N1.219 billion from ONSA’s account under Colonel Sambo Dasuki. He stated that the funds were designated for addressing security issues in Ekiti State. The witness also disclosed his familiarity with the Diamond Bank account (0026223114) of Sylvan McNamara Nigeria Limited, where the funds were deposited.
Abdulmukadaddas further revealed details of various payments made to the mentioned account, totaling N200 million, N700 million, N100 million, and N255 million, among others.
Under cross-examination by defense counsel Olalekan Ojo, SAN, the witness clarified the CBN’s verification process for payments before lodgment, emphasizing the necessity of ensuring the receiving account’s validity before posting transactions.
Agbele faces trial on 24 amended charges related to money laundering involving the sum of N1.219 billion deposited into Sylvan Mcnamara Ltd’s Diamond Bank account.
Former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, previously informed the court that the account in question was established to address security challenges posed by Boko Haram in Lagos. However, funds allegedly deposited into the account were purportedly diverted for electoral purposes by Fayose with Agbele’s assistance.
Earlier testimony from Peter Amangbo, former CEO of Zenith Bank, indicated that the airlifting of the cash from Lagos Airport to Akure Airport and subsequently to Zenith Bank Akure was executed based on the bank management’s directives.
Justice Dimgba adjourned the trial until May 2 and 3, 2024, for further proceedings.
