The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized six choice properties allegedly acquired by Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State with stolen public funds.
The duplexes, estimated at N1.350billion include four in Lagos and two in Abuja.
They were allegedly acquired for him by his associate, Abiodun Agbele and sister. Mrs. Moji Ladeji.
A furious Mrs. Ladeji has approached the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti laying claim to one of the Abuja duplexes.
EFCC, according to impeccable sources, believe that the properties were bought with public funds including the N1.219billion slush fund from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) handed over to Fayose by former Minister of Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, and bribe money from contractors.
Part of the funds came from the N4.745billion which was paid into Obanikoro’s company, Sylva Mcnamara by ONSA for the 2014 Ekiti governorship poll.
Operatives of the anti-graft commission have located and marked the duplexes as follows: 44, Osun Crescent and 32, Yedseram Street in Maitama, Abuja; and houses 3, 4, 6, and 9 in Plot 100, Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
EFCC sources said the funds were wired to pay for the duplexes.
While the duplex on Osun Crescent was allegedly bought for N200million from Skye Bank Plc, the one located in Yedseram Street in Abuja was purchased for N270million from a businessman, Rabi Kundili.
All the houses in Lagos were paid for by Abiodun Agbele, the detained associate of the governor who is currently under investigation.
Agbele allegedly paid over N880 million for the Lagos properties.
Sources said the duplexes were “acquired within 180 days in office by Fayose.”
“We have discovered that he paid for the houses through his associate’s company, De-Privateer Limited of Agbele.
“De-Privateer remitted slush funds into three accounts including FCMB (0519693019), First Bank of Nigeria (1000070240) and Zenith Bank (1014016919).
“The payments were made as follows: First Bank—N40m (29/1/15); N39.5m (30/1/15); N132.5 (30/1/ 15); N3.2m (4/2/15); N980, 000(4/2/15); N200m (17/2/15); N47m (13/2/15); N50m (13/2/15).
“The lodgements in an account in Zenith Bank (1014016919) included N42.5m (9/4/15); N25m (23/4/15); and N229m (6/3/15).
“About N200million was paid into FCMB account 0519693019 on March 9, 2015.”
He said the anti-graft agency seized the properties by invoking sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004 which empower the anti-graft agency to invoke Interim Assets Forfeiture Clause.
“Section 28 of the EFCC Act reads: ‘Where a person is arrested for an offence under this Act, the Commission shall immediately trace and attach all the assets and properties of the person acquired as a result of such economic or financial crime and shall thereafter cause to be obtained an interim attachment order from the Court.’
Section 13 of the Federal High Court Act reads in part: “The Court may grant an injunction or appoint a receiver by an interlocutory order in all cases in which it appears to the Court to be just or convenient so to do.
(2) “Any such order may be made either unconditionally or on such terms and conditions as the Court thinks just.”
The source added: “One of the suspects in custody, Agbele, has been linked to the purchase of most of all these properties. In fact, funds for the purchase of these mansions were laundered through the account of Agbele’s company called De-Privateer.
“Since the houses are under investigation, we have decided to invoke the assets forfeiture clause in our Act.”
Responding to a question, the source said: “The EFCC has secured a fresh court order to keep Agbele in custody because the on-going investigation has not been concluded.
“So, the governor’s associate is still in detention because we have invited more people linked with the money laundering for the governor.”
The source confirmed that Fayose’s sister, Mrs. Moji Ladeji has filed an affidavit in court claiming that she is the real owner of the property on Osun Crescent, Maitama District, Abuja.
“We will meet her in court with all the evidence at our disposal,” the source added.
The EFCC had secured a court order from Justice M. B. Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos to freeze the accounts of Fayose, a development which the governor is already challenging in court.
In an affidavit by an Investigating Officer, Tosin Owobo, the commission said: “That the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the exercise of his statutory mandate contained in Section 34 of the EFCC Act having satisfied himself that the various sums of money in the account No. 1003126654, 9013074033, 1010170969 and 1013835888 domiciled with the 2nd Respondent were made through the commission of the an economic and financial crimes to wit: stealing and receiving gratification approached the Federal High Court Lagos Judicial Division, for an order directing the Manager of the 2nd Respondent to freeze the said accounts.
“That in his wisdom, Hon. Justice M.B Idris granted the 1st Respondent’s application wherein an order of interim attachment was made on the aforementioned accounts. Attached and marked exhibit EFCC 09 is a certified true copy of the said order.
“That the said order was a preservative order to prevent further dissipation of proceeds of crimes.”
The EFCC also had succeeded in establishing money laundering link between Fayose and Agbele.
Investigation revealed as follows; “The N1, 219, 490,000 was not deposited in any account but it was kept in a vault in the bank. It took the bank officials about 10 days to count. The bankers refused to make entry until it was counted.
“Shortly after confirming the figure, Abiodun was used to coordinate the disbursement of the funds. On June 26, 2014, the wanted associate (Abiodun Agbele) paid N137million into Ayodele Fayose’s account 10003126654 with Zenith Bank through Teller-0556814. Fayose’s BVN on the teller is 22338867502. On August 22, 2014, he paid N50million into the same account. By the records from the bank, Abiodun paid another N118, 760,000 into Fayose’s account on 27/8/14.
“Based on the transfers, Fayose moved N300million to a Fixed Deposit Account No 9013074033 with Zenith Bank at 15, Olusola Abiona Street, Olorunda Estate, Alapere Ketu. He has the same BVN-22338867502.
“After that, Abiodun deposited another N100million from the N1, 219, 490,000 into Spotless Hotel Account run by Fayose and his wife, Helen Olayemi Fayose with Account No. 1010170969, Fayose’s BVN is 223338867502 and his wife’s BVN in the account is 22298990256.
“The governor and his wife are the two directors and signatories of Spotless Hotel account.”
In the course of the investigation, the EFCC team dug up how De Privateer Limited (a company owned by Abiodun Agbele) with Account No. 1013835889 received the sum of N219, 490,000 on June 18, 2014.
“On June 19, 2014, the same account received N300million and another N200million on June 23, 2014. The BVN of the account is 22235692890.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Shameless and funny herdsmen, how many properties of Amaechi have u sealed off? We're they not bought when he was in office? What of fashola who was a pauper before he entered government? How did el rufai get his properties? How did General Buhari get his properties having not ever earned more than N163000 as a head of state and N1 million as a president per month? When you want a funny order, you will approach a compromised Fulani judge and that's that. We are watching you. Come 2019, the present serving officials will have their own time in jails and firing squad too.
ReplyDeleteEither way Nigeria/Nigerians wins. Whomever eats our yams must vomit it now or after whether through witch-hunting, wizard-hunting, hunter-hunting.
Delete@Anonymous 7:24am - I hope you know the property will never reach you. Feel-amonger. Your yam indeed. Keep hoping on home video.
DeleteYou people are APC members fighting PDP who never fought you with such bitterness. What of Mrs Buhari, Buratai, Amaechi, Fashola, Tinubu etc? Even Jim nwobodo was accused of looting, but immediately he decamped to APC the accusation stopped.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame. Buhari is a cow.
If Buhari is a cow, what about ur parents? They r goat I guess. U r free to criticize a man constructively, not insulting.
DeleteWe also need leaders who work constructively & and not insulting our intelligence & commonsense
DeleteThis is madness and hellish hate for an antigraft agency to disclose this type of sensitive information of a citizen's acct , efcc needs a reform cos they are biased.
ReplyDeleteIf you are not informed you cry, if informed you call it media trial. which one you na dey?
DeleteIt is media trial. Stop trying to twist it you APC bandit.
DeleteAll these anonymous writers just talking rubbished. Some body who's a looter and you are supporting him. I know you are all yanmiri the biafraud elements. When your former dummy and Mugu president Jonathan was drinking apeteshi giving them the opportunity to steal any how.
ReplyDeleteLook at this cattle shagger talking. Please focus on romancing your cows. There's nothing for you here among humans. Cockraoch.
DeleteFoolish comments will mot change anything. Our leaders, past and present are a disgrace, not only to Nigeria but also to humanity.
DeleteOle, Jaguda, Barawo, Theif.
ReplyDeleteThese seized money must be put in use to relieve the Masses from abject poverty resulted from the greed and heartlessness of like Fayose and Obanikoro.
We know that some alatenujes are recruited to justify stealing and looting when the thug in the Ekiti Government House opens his smelling mouth . If the EFCC did not provide details these alatenujes will say no evidence . It is shameful that a state like Ekiti with claims of being the most educated find itself in this mess. All the past Governors and other senior indigenes should be ashamed of this embarrassment
ReplyDeleteThe EFCC is fighting corruption, GOV Fayose is the only corrupt Governor in the Federal Republic of Nigeria be he is the only one who opposes the authoritarian rule of tyranny.
ReplyDeleteNigerians were warned but they called it PDP propaganda, They voted for CHAINS.
I'm sure you guys are either fayose himself or fayose Ac compliances or other anonymous pdp thieves. If not for that you be jubilation that at least a thief that is making us poor is caught at least. As for apc against pdp, try and leave that to God, after all when Obasanjo of pdp was doing same people were saying same. So thank God for nemesis that is catching up with pdp, apc turn will also arrive. The truth remain that fayose " Baba alafiye fake of his first term has not changed.
ReplyDeleteBuhari has a brain of a cow and is not qualified to be a village head.Shame to APC for fighting the opposition.
ReplyDeleteshame to u for being an idiot. How much have u seen in your life dat makes u support anyone looting d treasury. Uve probably not eaten breakfast. opposition or not. thief na thief, God will expose others too his own way.
DeleteEFCC! EFCC!! EFCC!!!
ReplyDeleteHow many times did I called you? You are bitten more than you can chew. Who among our so called leaders who claimed to be Saint should cast the first stone? All of you have skeleton in your cupboard and revealing a sitting government account details online like this is detrimental to our democracy. Show me in other civilised countries in the world where democratic governance are practised and things are done this way? You can't win sympathisers to this government by exposing oppositions like this and you claim to be fighting corruption. You guys should learn from Rebaldo when he was the head of EFCC. I weep for my dear country Nigeria ðŸ˜.
EFCC hasn't breached any law governing our democracy. They have the right to freeze any account or properties with stolen funds. But they can't charge him to court as of now because of his immunity as a governor. EFCC only gave out this account details for people to see as evidence in d case. Am sure if they don't, d same people may want to deny that they have such amount in there account.
DeleteI'll only advice the people they are using now to tread with caution because nothing goes forever. They should not oppress a seating Governor because they are in power. God bless Governor Ayo Fayose.
ReplyDeleteFool
DeleteThe accusation we are used to was EFCC did not carry out detail investigation, now it has shifted to EFCC is disclosing too much information. We would not move 4ward as a nation with all these inconsistencies but I trust that the present FGN will not succumb to all these undue pressure. 2019 is still about 34 months away and Nigerian voters will decide who rule them not the few commentators on this platform will do that for the nation. Please do not use panadol for another person's headache. Remember that you have only one vote, chikenna.
ReplyDeletePlease, this is all unsubstantiated crap IMHO. They should take their evidence to court and wait. Newspaper houses are not courts.
DeleteI reason with all the above comments, but you all should know that this is a regular trend in 9ja. EFCC is usually after opposition. Let APC do their own, when another party gets into power, they should also start probing from 2015, it's that simple. All the 16yrs of PDP rule, how many PDP members were probed by the EFCC? They only probe whoever is not in the presidents good books...
ReplyDeleteFayose don't mind them, just pay us Ekiti workers our salaries we would keep supporting you, leader of PDP, the only good and great man spotless and taintless... Bro park well Jare!!! people that are supporting this sycophant does not know what he is putting us through this hard times in Ekiti, Buhari can go seize anything he wants to seize from this heartless creature you guys call a governor
ReplyDeleteMy people let fight for ourselves all this fayose, Amaechi, tinubu,fashola and Grandpa Buhari etc, they are on top already no matter how we abuse them, their life goes on with what they loot in government cover, Let us wrestle power from them. If Buhari can struggle and determine to become President of Federal Republic of Nigeria at 74 Years, and Youths of 25 Years and above sit down and abusing him everyday on Internet. Please let stop doing editors work and fight for Our Future oooo
ReplyDeleteEFCC, i support you.
ReplyDeleteNigerianeye,i do not come here to read news again,cuz your professionalism is thrash...I just come here to see the latest propaganda of the day,that's all.rubbish....
ReplyDeleteHow much is his salary thru out his life as a public servant? What type of business is he runing that bring about properties worth billions of Naira in 180 days? Corruption is actually killing Nigeria, EFCC keep it up.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why Nigerians would not want us to get back our commonwealth.Are we supporting thieves? Let's get fayose's first at least is better than not getting any.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 3:29am, 3:42am and 3:46am, pls shut ur stinking mouth if u don't know what to say, am very sure same person wrote all dis trash above. Mind u, if u have brain @ all u will realise dat d subject matter is Fayose, not any oda person. And with all d atrocities, embezzlement of ekiti public fund, bad governance and other economic and financial crime fayose has commited he still think he's above d law and proudly untouchable, especially with our Mr no nonsense and zero tolerance to corruption president we have unlike ur PDP president who approved n endorse stealing and saying it's not corruption. His cup is full n he will sure face consequences of all his ill actions. For oda corrupt politicians u are talking abt, dis fight is a gradual process u must know dat it's one after d oda bcoz u can't fight all dis corrupt ppl @ once n dat was y fayose was ignored all dis while. If u like call buhari cow, fulani, heard's man or any oda name, dat doesn't change d fact dat he's d president n will still fight dis anti-corruption war n recover our stolen n looted money weda u like it or not. Come 2019, he will win again bcoz northerners and southwest alone is enough for him to win so don't need ur southeast n south south vote as usual. If naija tire una make una fly abroad or go elsewhere go create ur biafraud community dat won't last a second. Buhari must cleanse n fix Nigeria for good and for all to enjoy jst like oda developed nations weda u all like it or not.
ReplyDeleteAll those anonymous commentators are Igbo wailers who are still suffering from the hangover of losing their sponsors and various patronage in PDPigs government.
DeleteFor once,let our able Governor, tell us, where he got money to buy these houses in 180days of governance or the sister. If there is a business he did or political souvenir or loan that he use or the sister, let us know. It will stop this hullabaloo, once and for all. If not, our governor will still be seen as a thief and a fraudster. Jonathan gave you money to help your election but you end up pocketing this much, play on all ekiti intelligence, now you are crying foal. Those whose blood were shed during the election, will cry out. Those who could not sleep to ensure you become governor, if they can ask you, won't heaven ask you. I am sure you've just started. You old drum will soon be brought out, your dance of shame, will soon start. You had better repent, Ekiti people are not a people to be cheated or deceived. Fayose repent and stop using bone face.
DeleteFor once,let our able Governor, tell us, where he got money to buy these houses in 180days of governance or the sister. If there is a business he did or political souvenir or loan that he use or the sister, let us know. It will stop this hullabaloo, once and for all. If not, our governor will still be seen as a thief and a fraudster. Jonathan gave you money to help your election but you end up pocketing this much, play on all ekiti intelligence, now you are crying foal. Those whose blood were shed during the election, will cry out. Those who could not sleep to ensure you become governor, if they can ask you, won't heaven ask you. I am sure you've just started. You old drum will soon be brought out, your dance of shame, will soon start. You had better repent, Ekiti people are not a people to be cheated or deceived. Fayose repent and stop using bone face.
DeleteYes O!!! Baba! D General Sai Changi Dole. It is also obvious PDP led gang up on your administration to such heighten to fraud in changing d standing order of upper chamber. This also call for some administrative radicalism, autocracy & military to crushed totally to a standstill all acts of terrorism whether bokoharam or militancy. Impunity or Immunity should be erased and whoever no matter d position involved in corruption, fraud should be made to face d full weight & wrath of d law. Dia shld stiff regulation of prices & all forms of monopoly. In the power sector, those currently handling it should go in dia totality & giv to a different set who are ready to do it well. Same shld apply to oil sector, NNPC, CBN & others.
ReplyDelete