by Ajadi Daniel
Detained former Minister of State (Defence) Senator Musiliu Obanikoro has admitted that he gave the Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose the sum of N2.3 billion in the run up to the Ekiti State governorship election in 2014.
Obanikoro was said to have told the EFCC in his interrogation on Tuesday that he personally handed over N5, 357,357 to Fayose on an occasion. He also said that N60 million was converted to dollars at N168 per dollar and given to Fayose. He said the money was given to the governor on the instruction Col. Sambo Dasuki, (retd) the former National Security Adviser.
According to sources, the sum of N1.3 billion was brought for transfer to the governor by Diamond bank in a bullion van. Obanikoro said that Mr Abiodun Agbele, Fayose’s associate received the money in the presence of his Aide De Camp, Lt. Adewale.
Sources also claimed that Obanikoro revealed that two flights were used to convey the money from Lagos, while he took off in the first flight with part of the money; the second flight conveyed the remaining cash to Akure. Obanikoro according to sources denied the ownership of Sylvan McNamara, but introduced the owner of the company, Mr. Kareem Taiwo to Col Dasuki during the days of Boko Haram threat on Lagos and the south west. Recall that the company allegedly owned by Obanikoro and his sons, Babajide and Gbolahan, was used to launder N4.685 billion.