Politics
N2.2bn Fraud: EFCC presents four witnesses against Ex-Ekiti governor, Ayo Fayose
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, November 19th, opened its case against a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, who is being prosecuted for an alleged N2.2bn fraud before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos .
Fayose was arraigned alongside his company, Spotless Investment Limited, on October 22, 2018 on an 11-count charge bordering on fraud and money laundering to the tune of N2.2bn.
The former governor is facing trial in connection with N1.299bn and $5.3m out of the N4.65bn slush funds allegedly shared by the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, through a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro.
Fayose pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him and was granted bail in the sum of N50m with one surety in like sum. The Judge had adjourned to Monday, November 19, 2018 for the commencement of trial.
In the course of the sitting, a prosecution witness, Lawrence Akande, told the court that one Abiodun Agbele informed him sometime in June 2014 that he had about N1.2 billion cash lodgement to make in Akure,Ondo State.
Akande, an employee of Zenith Bank Plc in charge of South West comprising Ogun, Oyo and Osun States, further told the court that he subsequently received a call from the first defendant in respect of the same issue earlier discussed with him by Agbele.
“Since the lodgement was in Akure, I had to call my colleague there to follow up on it. This is all I know about it, ” he added.
When asked if he knew about the company, Spotless Investment Limited, Akande, who was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, stated that it was one of his bank’s customers at the Dugbe branch.
When he was shown the account opening document of Spotless Nigeria Limited, De Privateer Limited and Still Earth Limited as well as account document of the first defendant, the witness confirmed the documents. They were tendered and admitted in evidence as exhibita A-D by the court.
When asked where the account of the first defendant was domiciled, he said: ” It is not domiciled within my domain. “But from the documents before me here, I can see Apapa”, he said.
Asked to state if the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, maintained an account with his bank, the witness said so many parties, including PDP, had accounts with his bank.
Under cross-examination by counsel to the first defendant, Kanu Agabi, SAN, the witness told the court that he made statements to the EFCC on June 6, 2016. He, however, said that he did not mention the first defendant in his earlier statement. “I only mentioned him in my subsequent statements to the EFCC ,” he added.
When the defence counsel told him that his evidence was based on what he was told by his colleague, whom he said handled the transactions in Akure, he responded that “I was told how the cash was processed.”
He also stated that he had sought patronage by the first defendant for opening of government account with his bank in line with his responsibility of looking for deposits.
During cross-examination by counsel to the second defendant, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, Akande confirmed to the court that a person who is not a signatory to an account cannot make withdrawals from such account.
“There are withdrawal limits in every account and where withdrawals are to be made above the stipulated limits, it is reported to the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to investigate such transaction,” he further stated.
When asked if his bank ever lodged any report of suspicious transactions on the various company accounts, he said: “We had no reason to do so.”
Also, when asked if he told the EFCC that before the account opening of De Privateer, the sum of N200 million was lodged in the account, he answered in the affirmative.
When asked if he was aware that the PDP organised a fund raiser before the election and that political parties do organise fund raising, the witness said, ” It is not impossible. But I don’t know.”
Akande, who confirmed that he had not had any dealing with the account of the second defendant, also told the court that the CCTV installed in the bank usually captures customers making lodgements in the bank, except it is faulty.
A second prosecution witness, Abiodun Oshodi, who is the Zonal Head of the bank covering South West 2 comprising Ondo, Kwara and Ekiti, recalled some developments in 2014 in relation to the case, saying, “I received a call from my colleague (Akande) that Agbele would be coming to make some lodgments and that I should organise a bullion van. I waited for Agbele who arrived with one Sadiku and some escorts. Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, the then Minister of State for Defence, and his aide, also accompanied them. As soon as the aircraft arrived, I moved with the bullion van towards the plane to evacuate the money.
“The total sum amounted to N1.2 billion. They were lodged into accounts supplied by Agbele. Others include Spotless Nigeria Limited, De Privateer Limited as well as personal account of former governor, Fayose. Some cash were taken to Ado-Ekiti.”
When asked to look at the deposits in the account of Spotless Limited from June 17 to Aug 4, 2014, Oshodi, who also supervises all branches in the three localities, told the court that there was a lodgment of N100 million on June 17. On June 23, there was a cash lodgement of N49 milion. On June 24, there was a cash lodgement of N200,000 while on August 4, there was a cash lodgement of N40 million.
“On same August 4, there were also cash lodgements in the sums of N35 million, N35 million, N24 million, N20 million and N14 million respectively,” he added.
The witness told the court that Agbele made the deposit on June 17.
He, however, said that from the statement before him, the depositor’s name on August 4 was given as Ayo.
A third prosecution witness, Olaitan Fajuyitan, a banker in Diamond Bank, told the court about the involvement of the bank in the transaction, saying , “We received payment instructions on June 16, 2014 to pay cash of N1.2bn. We then moved the funds to CITS account. On the same process on June 17, 2014, we paid N200 millon.”
The account details, account statement and instructions were tendered and admitted as exhibit E.
He confirmed to court that the money was legitimate, since it was received from the Office of the National Security Adviser NSA, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
PW3 mentioned the beneficiaries of disbursement funds as: Santuraki Bello( N200m); Yusuf Ulama (N120m); Chmenun Injoku( N250m); Josaha Moses( N250m); Abubaka Sodiq Zanna (N200m) and Franklin Tolani (N150m), respectively.
Also, the fourth prosecution witness, PW4, Damola Otuyemo, Head, Cash in Transit in Service, Diamond Bank, said his duties involved evacuating cash from a bank that has surplus and supplying banks that do not have enough.
He said on June 16, 2014, his Director, Premier Oiwoh, informed him that they needed to pay a sum of N1.2bn cash to a customer, and that he should get the cash ready.
He said because the beneficiaries were not available to pay the cash to, he was told by his Director to move the cash to the airport.
He said: “We had to contact a company that operates bullion vans and moved the cash to the Muritala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos .
“On getting to the Airport, we could not have access to enter. So, my Director spoke to Gbolahan Obanikoro, who was described as the person that could help us to proccess the pass. He did and we then entered. After, this Musilu Obanikoro was phoned and the cash was handed over to him. Obanikoro told me not to evacute the cash because it had to be loaded in aircraft”, he said
Giving further evidence, he said: ” The whole cash was moved into the aircraft and they left the airport.
“We did not see the six beneficiaries. We released the cash to Mr Musilu Obanikoro, having been identified by my Director. It was Obanikoro who signed for the money. On June 17, 2014, my Director called me and instructed that I pay a sum of N200m to Malik Bauchi. He said we should waive identification.
“But because the amount was too much, we did not waive the identification, and the money was paid to Obanikoro. They used a cash bag called “jumbo bags” to pack N1.2bn and Ghana- must-go bags to pack N200m. The cash was handed over to Musliu Obanikoro”.
Justice Olatoregun adjourned the matter to January 21 and 28, 2019 for continuation of trial.
Politics
The Truth Unveiled: U.S. Court Orders Release of Tinubu’s Drug Files—A National Shame Nigeria Can No Longer Ignore By George Omagbemi Sylvester
The Truth Unveiled: U.S. Court Orders Release of Tinubu’s Drug Files—A National Shame Nigeria Can No Longer Ignore
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
In a move that sent shockwaves across the Nigerian political landscape and beyond, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia has ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to release long-withheld documents pertaining to a federal investigation into Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s sitting president. The files, which date back to the early 1990s, allegedly tie Tinubu to a narcotics trafficking operation and a subsequent forfeiture of $460,000 to the U.S. government.
The presiding judge, Beryl Howell, delivered a decisive blow to attempts to keep these records concealed. In a ruling made public on Tuesday, Howell declared that “protecting the information from public disclosure is neither logical nor plausible.” These words not only dismantle the legal shield around Tinubu’s past but also ignite fresh concerns about the moral compass and integrity of Nigeria’s highest office.
The Damning 1993 Forfeiture
To understand the gravity of this revelation, one must revisit the dark corridors of 1993 Chicago, where Tinubu, then a rising political figure with financial interests in the United States, came under the radar of American law enforcement. According to U.S. court documents, authorities traced large sums of money in bank accounts linked to Tinubu and his associates to proceeds from heroin trafficking. In what legal experts term a “civil forfeiture,” Tinubu opted to forfeit $460,000 rather than challenge the U.S. government’s assertion that the funds were drug-related.
While forfeiture does not equate to a criminal conviction, it represents a significant concession; one which would have irreversibly tarnished the political future of any public official in a law-abiding democracy. Yet in Nigeria, the matter was swept under the rug, buried beneath layers of political propaganda and institutional complicity.
A Judiciary That Still Works
Judge Howell’s courageous decision reflects the enduring strength of the American judiciary; a system where accountability is not subservient to political power. The ruling is a direct rebuke to those who believe political status should shield individuals from the consequences of their past.
“Public interest in the integrity of foreign heads of state is too great to be silenced by bureaucratic inertia,” Howell added, a statement that should resonate deeply with Nigerians who have long been denied transparency and justice.
In sharp contrast, Nigeria’s own judiciary has repeatedly failed to uphold the principle of probity when it comes to high-ranking officials. A nation where electoral cases are often decided in favor of the powerful; regardless of overwhelming public sentiment; should take a long, hard look at the mirror America is now holding up.
A Nation Held Hostage by Its Leaders
The implications of this court order are profound. They raise questions not only about Tinubu’s moral fitness to lead but also about the collective conscience of a nation that allowed such a man to rise to the presidency.
“Nigeria is not short of capable leaders; it is short of honest ones,” said former President Olusegun Obasanjo in a 2019 interview. Though not directed at Tinubu specifically, the words feel chillingly appropriate in the current context.
How did a man linked to drug trafficking, who forfeited nearly half a million dollars to American authorities, become the Commander-in-Chief of Africa’s largest democracy? The answer lies in Nigeria’s broken institutions, compromised electoral processes, and an elite class more concerned with power than principle.
The Complicity of Silence
Perhaps more troubling than the allegations themselves is the orchestrated silence that followed them. For decades, questions surrounding Tinubu’s past were dismissed as political smears, conveniently brushed aside by allies and ignored by the mainstream media. But now that a U.S. federal court has intervened, the truth is no longer subject to partisan interpretation.
“Silence in the face of injustice is complicity,” said Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate and one of Nigeria’s most respected moral voices. The willful refusal of Nigerian institutions to address these allegations over the years has made them co-conspirators in the degradation of our democracy.
What This Means for Nigeria’s Democracy
This court order is not just an indictment of Tinubu; it is an indictment of Nigeria’s political culture. It exposes a leadership crisis where character is secondary to cunning, and public office is a means of self-preservation rather than public service.
As 2027 looms on the horizon, Nigerians must ask themselves hard questions: Do we want a country where integrity matters? Can we afford to keep rewarding men with questionable pasts simply because they have mastered the art of political manipulation?
“Nigerians must reclaim the republic from those who think leadership is their birthright,” thundered Governor Nyesom Wike in a 2022 rally. His statement, echoing the frustration of millions, underlines a growing hunger for change; a change that must be rooted in truth, accountability, and ethical leadership.
Global Ramifications
This scandal also risks diminishing Nigeria’s already fragile international reputation. As Africa’s most populous nation and one of its largest economies, Nigeria should be a beacon of democratic integrity. Instead, it is increasingly viewed as a kleptocracy, where corrupt elites operate with impunity.
The United States’ decision to make these documents public suggests a growing intolerance for diplomatic hypocrisy. The message is clear: the world is watching, and no amount of diplomatic immunity can shield the morally bankrupt from eventual exposure.
The Way Forward
Now that the truth is clawing its way to the surface, Nigerians must not retreat into apathy. Civil society organizations, legal institutions, and media platforms must demand full disclosure of the contents of the FBI and DEA files. The National Assembly must initiate hearings. The Nigerian Bar Association should speak out. And most importantly, the Nigerian people must not allow this moment to pass without consequence.
This is a call to action.
We must demand that President Tinubu publicly address the allegations and the forfeiture. We must insist on a transparent probe; one not led by political appointees but by a bipartisan, internationally-observed commission. Anything less would be an insult to our collective intelligence.
Final Thoughts: No More Excuses
History will remember this as a turning point; either a moment when Nigeria finally chose truth over tyranny or yet another chapter in a tragic national saga. The decision lies with us.
The time for excuses is over. As Chinua Achebe once said, “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” If we are to reclaim our dignity as a people, we must start by holding our leaders to account; no matter how high the office they occupy.
Let this be the beginning of that reckoning.
Politics
AGF Fagbemi Drafts Tinubu’s Defense as PDP Governors Drag FG to Supreme Court over Rivers Crisis
2027: Ganduje Reacts to Atiku Visit to Buhari Amid Coalition Talk
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
As Nigeria hurtles toward the 2027 general elections, political fireworks have already begun to explode across the landscape. One of the most riveting developments came when former Vice President and perennial presidential contender Alhaji Atiku Abubakar paid a high-profile visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura. The visit, cloaked in civility but loaded with political undertones, has sparked a national debate and provoked strong reactions — notably from the embattled National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.
To the untrained eye, the visit might seem like an innocuous gesture of statesmanship. But seasoned political observers know that in Nigeria’s murky political terrain, no handshake is ever just a handshake. It is a message. It is a signal. It is a strategic move.
Ganduje’s Defensive Rhetoric: A Crumbling Empire?
Dr. Ganduje, already struggling to hold together a fractured APC, dismissed the meeting as a “media stunt” and accused Atiku of playing games to revive his waning relevance. “Atiku is grasping at straws,” Ganduje said during a press briefing in Abuja. “The APC is not a refuge for failed PDP politicians looking for political asylum.”
This fiery response, however, betrays more than it conceals. Political insiders say Ganduje’s anxiety stems from the growing disillusionment within the APC and the rising popularity of coalition talks aimed at dislodging the party that has presided over Nigeria’s most turbulent democratic decade. The once-dominant APC is now battling factionalism, leadership instability, and widespread public disdain.
A Possible Coalition: The Night the Elephant Danced With the Lion
If reports are to be believed, Atiku’s visit was not merely ceremonial. Sources close to both camps suggest that discussions are underway to explore a “grand coalition” that could bring together influential political actors from both northern and southern Nigeria to unseat the APC in 2027. Buhari, known for his silence, has not disavowed the talks, fuelling speculation that even he, the supposed “father of APC,” is growing disenchanted with the party’s direction.
Political coalitions are not new in Nigerian history. In fact, the APC itself was born from a coalition of disillusioned politicians in 2013. However, what makes this possible Atiku-led coalition unique is its potential to merge ideological enemies into a common force against a greater evil — political stagnation and national decline.
Nigeria in Decline: The APC’s Legacy of Chaos
Since 2015, when the APC took power under Buhari, Nigeria has witnessed nothing short of a national collapse. The economy is in tatters, with inflation soaring above 33% and unemployment crossing 40% by the end of 2024. According to the World Bank, Nigeria has become the world’s poverty capital, overtaking India with over 71 million people living in extreme poverty.
“Corruption, insecurity, economic mismanagement — the APC has failed Nigerians on every front,” says Dr. Kingsley Moghalu, economist and former presidential candidate. “The social contract between the government and the people has completely broken down.”
This collapse is not an exaggeration; it is a documented reality. Under APC rule, Nigeria has witnessed the devaluation of its currency, mass emigration of youth through the “Japa syndrome,” and the near-total breakdown of law and order. From Boko Haram to banditry to IPOB agitations, the country is increasingly ungovernable.
Atiku’s Calculated Return: Statesman or Strategist?
Atiku’s critics accuse him of opportunism, but his supporters view him as a resilient statesman seeking to rescue a broken nation. “Atiku is Nigeria’s most consistent political figure of the Fourth Republic,” said Professor Jibrin Ibrahim, a political scientist with the Centre for Democracy and Development. “His visit to Buhari may be the beginning of a national healing process.”
Indeed, if a coalition is to succeed, it needs to be broad-based, multi-ethnic, and pragmatic. Atiku’s long-standing relationships across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones could be the glue that binds a new political force. His vision of restructuring, economic liberalism, and national unity resonates with many young Nigerians disillusioned by tribal politics and nepotism.
Ganduje’s Irony: A Man Without Moral Standing
Ganduje, who has repeatedly denied allegations of corruption despite viral videos allegedly showing him collecting bribes in dollars, is hardly the voice of moral authority. His continued leadership of the APC is viewed by many as a stain on the party’s image.
“Nigerians are tired of recycled corruption,” said Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka. “The country needs a clean break from the past, not a recycling of those who have contributed to its downfall.”
Ganduje’s rejection of coalition talks, therefore, comes across as both hypocritical and desperate. His primary concern is not the party’s future or the country’s stability — it is the preservation of his dwindling influence.
A Coalition That Could Save Nigeria
A possible Atiku-led coalition could include the PDP, disgruntled APC members, Labour Party elements, and regional powerbrokers. If successful, it would mark a turning point in Nigeria’s political history — a united opposition front committed to real reforms.
The late Nelson Mandela once said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” In Nigeria, many believed the APC’s defeat was impossible until 2015 proved otherwise. 2027 could once again be the year Nigerians rise against incompetence and reclaim their democracy.
To achieve this, the coalition must focus on a common minimum agenda: restructuring, economic revitalization, job creation, security reform, and judicial independence. It must also avoid the mistakes of the past — internal sabotage, regional bias, and political greed.
Voices from the Global Stage
Former U.S. President Barack Obama once remarked, “Africa doesn’t need strongmen; it needs strong institutions.” Nigeria has had enough of strongmen who use institutions as personal weapons. The time has come for an alliance that will rebuild institutions, restore confidence, and rejuvenate hope.
Renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs emphasized, “Good governance is the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development.” Nigeria’s tragedy is that it has been governed by those more interested in power than purpose. The 2027 coalition must reverse this pattern.
The Verdict of the People
Ultimately, it is not Ganduje, Atiku, or Buhari who will determine Nigeria’s fate in 2027 — it is the Nigerian people. And the people are watching, listening, and preparing. They have endured inflation, fuel scarcity, unemployment, and insecurity. Their anger is reaching boiling point.
As author Chinua Achebe wrote, “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” That failure must end. If a coalition offers even a glimmer of competent leadership, then history will remember Atiku’s visit to Buhari not as an act of desperation, but as the moment the winds of change began to blow.
Conclusion: A Nation at the Crossroads
Nigeria stands today on a knife’s edge. The old order is cracking, and a new vision must emerge. Ganduje’s hostility to coalition talks is a symptom of a frightened political class clinging to a failed status quo. But history is merciless to those who stand in the way of progress.
The 2027 elections could either be the beginning of national rebirth or the final nail in Nigeria’s democratic coffin. The choice is ours.
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