The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, July 19, 2024, presented its 14th prosecution witness, Sahibu Salisu, in the trial of Ayodele Fayose, a former governor of Ekiti State, and his company, Spotless Investment Limited. The case, involving an alleged N6.9 billion fraud, is being heard by Justice Chukujekwu Aneke at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Salisu, a former Director of Administration and Finance at the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), testified that he processed payments totaling N2.2 billion to Sylvan MacNamara on the instruction of former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd). He explained that these payments were ostensibly for security purposes but were not verified as such.
The EFCC had re-arraigned Fayose and his company on July 2, 2019, on an 11-count charge of money laundering and stealing, initially arraigned on October 22, 2018.
During cross-examination, Salisu stated that while he processed the payments, he did not confirm their actual use for security purposes, and no one queried the NSA’s instructions. He also clarified that his role did not involve verifying the retirement of funds.
Defense counsel Ola Olanipekun, SAN, requested permission for Fayose to travel abroad for medical reasons, which was granted by the court. The trial is adjourned until October 18, 2024.
