A bullion van driver has confessed to conveying the N1.219bn, which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alleged was delivered to the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, in the build-up to the June 2014 governorship election in the state, which Fayose won.
Fayose is being investigated by the EFCC for allegedly receiving the N1.219bn through the Office of the National Security Adviser for his campaign in 2014, an amount said to be part of the N4.7bn allegedly diverted from the ONSA under Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).
EFCC investigations had revealed that the N4.7bn was paid into a bank account of Sylvan McNamara, a company in which the sons of a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, are said to be directors.
About N1.219bn was allegedly flown to Akure on a private plane during the build-up to the Ekiti State governorship election.
Fayose was alleged to have received the N1.219bn through his bosom friend, Abiodun Agbele.
The bullion van driver, Mr. Olaoluwa Omotoso, reportedly drove the bullion van to the Akure airport tarmac on June 17, 2014, to transport the N1.219bn allegedly flown from Lagos by Obanikoro.
Omotoso told EFCC detectives that he made two separate trips to the airport because of the large volume of cash.
The driver told the anti-graft agency that part of the money was taken to a bank in Alagbaka, Akure, on the instruction of Fayose’s friend, Agbele, while the remaining money was taken to Spotless Hotel, Ado Ekiti, which is owned by Fayose and his wife, Feyisetan.
A detective in the commission, who spoke to our correspondent on Thursday, said, “Omotoso explained that on June 17, 2014, he was given a directive to go to the Akure airport to convey some funds. He said he went to the airport twice to move the money. He said some of the money was taken to a bank while he, along with Agbele, moved the remaining cash to Spotless Hotel, Ado Ekiti.
“He said the money was moved in three vehicles, including one bullion van and two Toyota Hilux vans. The two Toyota Hilux vans had some soldiers inside for security while Agbele was with him in the Hilux van.
“He said he did not know exactly how much was conveyed. He explained that Agbele held the keys to the vault in the bullion van. On getting to Spotless Hotel at night, they offloaded the cash and Agbele entered the vehicle to search and ensure that no money was left behind. Agbele then returned the keys and Omotoso drove off.”
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Mr. Peter Amangbo, has denied that the bank sponsored the governorship campaign of Fayose in 2014, contrary to the governor’s claim.
Amangbo told the EFCC that the bank had only one branch in Ekiti State, wondering why the bank would invest in Fayose when the state government had no account with the bank.
Fayose had claimed that his campaign was funded by the bank and a few private individuals.
The bank MD said at no time did he hold a meeting with Fayose and his friend, Agbele.
A source at the EFCC stated that Amangbo said at no time did he meet with Abiodun Agbele or any representative of Fayose. He said the allegation that the bank funded the Ekiti State governorship election was false.
“He further stated that at no time did Fayose and the chairman of the bank, Mr. Jim Ovia, and himself hold a meeting.
“He said the bank, as a matter of policy, did not sponsor political groups or elections.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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How many episode has this story been now??
ReplyDeleteStory for the gods,hahaha I laugh, what does the amount has to do with a driver?the driver will not know the amount, nawaooo for this Nigeria
ReplyDeleteNigeria! The only country on earth with many Tales by Moonlight. Next episode please.
ReplyDeleteI wonder the kind brains used in staffing the efcc.mayne they have imported all their Fulani herdsmen brothers hence their stories are always cow like. Bullion driver in the hilux van with agbele! How come he wasn't driving his bullion van again but was in a hilux van? You guys and your master cannot convince Nigerians to hate Fayose. We all know that this stupidly planned and executed war is to silence him so Nigerians will cease to know the rot in the president,s family and party. Shame on all of you. That's what comes from unqualified people running such a grandiose country as nigeria.
ReplyDeleteAnd someone will say this is fighting corruption abi persecution.
ReplyDeletesome narrow minded and fish brain will still find it very difficult to digest this piece. i pity this country
ReplyDeleteeven when he took a picture of himself and the money Nigerians would still support this criminals moving around in the name of oppositions, thanks for telling us your part of the stary Jare!!!!
ReplyDeleteBullion driver please tell us a story. APC has bribed you to give false testimoney against Fayose abi? FOOL
ReplyDeleteAPC has crashed, no panel beaten can repair it!
ReplyDeleteThen let the driver be jailed.
ReplyDeleteEven wen d know it's persecution some bullion van heads wit out money in it will believe it's true against fayose. Pls u ppl should channel dis efforts 2 delivering d electoral promises dan fighting some 1 who is correcting and giving u clue on how 2 make head way. Bloody lairs.
ReplyDeleteSo Buhari ran his election without money?
ReplyDeleteHow will a bullion van driver know the amount he is conveying and destination. This not news at all. On the contrary, if the driver is a bank official and he is aware of the amount of funds that is vaulted out and transported to various areas, then he should be further quizzed to get the manifest for all these movement. I rest my case as I keep smiling.
ReplyDeleteA pity dis country nigerians are literate now hw can u fabricate stories nd believing u agree with u,billions was into his account, now,its a bullion van with hw much in even t be conveyed with 1.219 b,without Ghana must go known by politicians,life is turn by turn when Apc finishes their own then pdp will start their own too,just be keeping d records okay
ReplyDeleteFayose is a disgrace to governance , Ekiti people and by extension Nigeria as a whole. He is corrupt, arrogant, thug and unrepentant lier. Fayose, with all these revelations, your days are numbered.
ReplyDeleteHow much did you use your Bullion van to carry for Buhari for his electioneering Campaign?...Well,as events are unfolding...
ReplyDeleteI can even hear some sycophants,Apc Cyber warriors believing this trash and commenting rubbish here,if anyone can believe this trash then d person is worst than fulani cow!! Chaii Fayose u don suffer oh..they are doin everything to shut u down!! Cos u re exposing them and their dubious ways!! go on the Lord is ur muscle!
ReplyDeleteFreedom of speech. Say what u want but d fact still remains intact. Every robber of our national wealth must face justice even wt their supporters IJN.
ReplyDeleteHow much were you given to taint fayose's image?there's Godooooooo!
ReplyDeleteWhat is being probe is the money from the Office of the National Security Adviser and NOT election/ campaign fund of any candidate.
ReplyDeleteLet us get it clear. Every election is run with money mostly in Nigeria.
How long we will continue to support these heartless and selfish leader who has destroyed so many destiny with their wickedness.
Everyone is CORRUPT but some are WICKEDLY AND HEARTLESSLY CORRUPT