After 72 hours in gaol, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose has finally opened up to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) telling the anti-graft body all he knows about $5.3 million (N4.685b) he allegedly received from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) under the President Goodluck Jonathan regime.
Fayose spoke in detention admitting knowing the former Minister of State (Defence) Musiliu Obanikoro, who ferried N1.299billion slush funds to him in a chartered jet. He also confirmed his relationship with one Abiodun Agbele, who allegedly bought six choice properties for him in Lagos and Abuja even though he had earlier vowed not to speak
According to reports, the former governor will answer more questions on Friday whether Obanikoro did hand over cash to him and Agbele, what the N1.299b was meant for and if Agbele actually bought the properties for him.
Meanwhile, Fayose has written a letter to the EFCC demanding an additional mattress to sleep. He said one mattress was too flat to accommodate his frame in the cell.
”He has demanded for a second mattress from the anti-graft agency and I think they are looking into his request,” EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren said. “He said sleeping on two mattresses will be more comfortable for him.”
Agbele and Obanikoro are central to the disbursement and receipt of N1.299billion and $5.377million to him.
“The $5, 377,000 was handed over in cash by Obanikoro to Fayose while the N1.299billion was received by Agbele on Fayose’s behalf in the presence of the ex-minister’s Aide-de-Camp who also accompanied them to the bank,” a source close to the investigation said, adding:
“From the $5million, Fayose gave his Personal Assistant Agbele about $1million which he exchanged to Naira and paid for properties on behalf of the governor.
“These assets include four in Lagos (N1.1billion) and two in Abuja worth about N500million to N700million.
“The properties, worth N1.8billion, were purchased with the said proceeds of crime.”
Fayose has been asking the EFCC to take him to court.
The source said: “Fayose will still undergo another round of grilling on Friday (today). We cannot just arraign him in court without obtaining a statement from him.