N1.219bn: EFCC seizes Fayose’s properties

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have seized some Lagos and Abuja properties belonging to Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose.

According to the Punch, the properties were seized as part of ongoing investigations into the N1.219 billion allegedly paid to Fayose through the former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro.

The money is said to have emanated from the Office of the National Security Adviser under Col. Sambo Dasuki.

The governor is also facing investigations for receiving bribes from contractors in the state.

In seizing the assets, the EFCC invoked the Assets Forfeiture clause to seize the properties in line with Sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004.

The sources at the anti-graft agency told The Punch that the properties were allegedly bought with stolen money.

Two of the properties – located at 32 Yedseram Street and 44 Osun River Crescent, Maitama, Abuja- were defaced with the words ‘EFCC, Keep Off’ on the fence.

Court documents filed by the anti-graft agency shows that the house on Osun Crescent was bought in the name of Governor Fayose’s London-based sister, Moji Ladeji.

Both properties are yet to be completed but are reportedly worth over N470 million.

Four duplexes, each with a price tag of $1.3m (N364m), were also seized. The properties are located on Plot 100 Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island.

In an affidavit the EFCC had accused the governor of using looted funds to buy properties.

The affidavit read in part, “Apart from fraudulently retaining the sum of N1, 219,490,000 being part of the N4, 745,000,000 stolen from the treasury of the Federal Government through the Office of the National Security Adviser, the applicant (Fayose) has also received gratification in form of kickbacks from various contractors with the Ekiti State Government such as Samchese Nigeria Ltd, Tender Branch Concept Nig. Ltd, Hoff Concept Ltd and Calibre Consulting Ltd.

“The applicant (Fayose) received these kickbacks and gratification through Still Earth Ltd and Signachorr Nigeria Limited. In turn, the applicant (Fayose) instructed the Still Earth Ltd and Signachoor Nigeria Limited to use the funds to acquire properties for him.

“In complying with the applicant’s instruction, Still Earth Limited and Signachoor Nigeria Limited acquired properties on behalf of the applicant (Fayose) in the name of a company known as J.J Technical Services Limited belonging to the applicant (Fayose) and his wife (Feyisetan).

“That the applicant (Fayose) also used the name of one Mrs. Moji Ladeji (the applicant’s sister) to acquire a property situated at 44, Osun Crescent, Maitama Abuja, from the proceeds of the alleged offences of receiving gratification and kickbacks.”

 

One comment

  1. chasing shadows all the time. This is one over government agency that does its job on the pages of newspapers.

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