The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday opened its case before a Federal High Court Lagos in the criminal trial of immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, charged with N6.9 billion fraud.
Fayose was arraigned by the anti-graft agency on October 22 alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, on 11 counts
The former governor, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, was granted bail in the sum of N50million with one surety in like sum.
The case was adjourned until Monday for trial.
At the court on Monday, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) appeared for the EFCC, while Kanu Agabi (SAN) and Olalekan Ojo (SAN) represented the first and second accused respectively
Mr Jacobs then called on first prosecution witness, Lawrence Akande, a banker in a commercial bank in charge of South West 1, comprising Ogun, Oyo and Osun States.
Led by the prosecutor, the witness told the court that in June 2014, he was called by one Abiodun Agbele, who informed him that he had about N1.2 billion cash lodgement to make in Akure.
The witness told the court that he also received a call from Fayose on the same issue, adding that since the lodgement was in Akure, he placed a call across to his colleague in Akure to follow up same.
When asked if he knew the second accused, (Spotless Ltd), Mr Akande replied that the company is a customer of his bank with an account at Dugbe branch in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The prosecutor then showed the witness some account opening document of Spotless Nig. Ltd, De Privateer Ltd, Still Earth Ltd as well as account document of first accused.
The witness confirmed the document and they were admitted by the court and marked exhibit A.
During cross-examination, the witness told the court that he made statements to the EFCC on June 6, 2016, stressing that he made no mention of the first accused in his earlier statement.
EFCC then called its second witness, Abiodun Oshordi, who introduced himself as the zonal head of the bank, covering South West 2 which includes, Ondo, Kwara and Ekiti.
Mr Oshordi said he received a call from his colleague (Akande) that Agbele will be coming to make some lodgements and that he should organise a bullion van.
He explained that he waited for Mr Agbele who arrived with one Sadiku and some escorts, adding that Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, the then Minister of State for Defence, and his aide, also accompanied them.
According to him, as soon as the aircraft arrived, he moved with the bullion van towards the plane to evacuate the money.
He said that the total sum amounted to N1.2billion, adding that they were lodged into accounts supplied by Agbele.
Having listened to the witnesses, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun adjourned the case until January 21 and 28 for continuation of trial.
