How bullion van driver delivered N1.2bn to Fayose’s hotel

Olaoluwa Omotoso, a bullion van driver claims he transported the N1.219bn, which the EFCC alleged was delivered to Governor Fayose

– Omotoso says he was the one who drove the bullion van to the Akure airport tarmac to convey the cash

– He says he made two separate trips to the airport because of the large volume of cash

Olaoluwa Omotoso, a bullion van driver has said he conveyed the N1.219bn, which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alleged was delivered to the Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state in the build-up to the June 2014 governorship election in the state.

Omotoso said he was the one who drove the bullion van to the Akure airport tarmac on June 17, 2014, to transport the N1.219billion allegedly flown from Lagos by a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

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The driver told EFCC detectives that he made two separate trips to the airport because of the large volume of cash.
According to him, part of the money was taken to a bank in Alagbaka, Akure, on the instruction of Fayose’s friend, Agbele, while the remaining money was taken to Spotless Hotel, Ado Ekiti, which is owned by Fayose and his wife, Feyisetan.

A detective in the EFCC told The Punch: “Omotoso explained that on June 17, 2014, he was given a directive to go to the Akure airport to convey some funds. He said he went to the airport twice to move the money. He said some of the money was taken to a bank while he, along with Agbele, moved the remaining cash to Spotless Hotel, Ado Ekiti.

“He said the money was moved in three vehicles, including one bullion van and two Toyota Hilux vans. The two Toyota Hilux vans had some soldiers inside for security while Agbele was with him in the Hilux van.

“He said he did not know exactly how much was conveyed. He explained that Agbele held the keys to the vault in the bullion van. On getting to Spotless Hotel at night, they offloaded the cash and Agbele entered the vehicle to search and ensure that no money was left behind. Agbele then returned the keys and Omotoso drove off.”

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Governor Fayose is being investigated by the EFCC for allegedly receiving the N1.219bn through the office of the National Security Adviser for his campaign in 2014.

The money is said to be part of the N4.7bn allegedly diverted from the office of the National Security Adviser under Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).

EFCC investigations had revealed that the N4.7bn was paid into a bank account of Sylvan McNamara, a company in which the sons of a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, are said to be directors.