3 ‘mansions traced to Fayose’s close associate’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC) has traced 3 exotic houses to a close associate of Governor Fayose of Ekiti state.

The houses, 2 in Lagos and 1 in Abuja, were allegedly bought with part of the N1.219 billion pumped into the 2014 governorship election of Ekiti state.

The money is believed to be from embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki.

However, Fayose has repeatedly denied having any financial dealings with Dasuki throughout his stint as NSA.

The money the anti-graft agency is investigating is believed to be from the N4.745 billion allegedly given to former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro by Dasuki for the governorship election in Ekiti state.

The EFCC has reasons to believe that the associate only acted as a front for the governor to purchase the houses and may seize the properties under the Interim Forfeiture Clause of the EFCC Act.

According to a source who spoke to The Nation newspaper, investigators have established a link between the N1.29 billion and the three mansions.

The source said, “We have been able to trace the three mansions in Abuja and Lagos to a key associate of Fayose. Our investigators have retrieved relevant documents, including the mode of payment for the houses.

“Part of the N1.29 billion credited to Fayose was used for the acquisition of the mansions. We are suspecting that the associate allegedly acted as a front for the governor. We will certainly invoke the appropriate laws to seize the assets after conclusion of investigation.”

The Forfeiture Order in Sections 26 and 29 of the EFCC Act reads, “Any property subject to forfeiture under this Act may be seized by the commission in the following circumstances- (a) the seizure is incidental to an arrest or search; or (b) in the case of property liable to forfeiture upon process issued by the court following an application made by the Commission in accordance with the prescribed rules.”

“Whenever property is seized under any of the provisions of this Act, the Commission may-(a) place the property under seal; or (b) remove the property to a place designated by the Commission.”

“Properties taken or detained under this section shall be deemed to be in custody of the Commission, subject only to an order of a court.”

The source also said Fayose is under investigation for owning choice properties in Dubai.

“We are looking at these clues and exploring the Mutual Legal Assistance understanding between Nigeria and the UAE to authenticate the information at our disposal and to take necessary legal action,” the source was quoted to have said, while asking not to be named “so as not to jeopardise the investigation”.

One comment

  1. Comment:This country is sick.How is this stealing got to this level.The last government lost control and it is all comers affair,what a shame and a government.

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