The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, called its 15th witness in the trial of a former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, for alleged money laundering.
The commission arraigned Fayose for alleged fraud and money laundering to N6.9 billion.
He was first arraigned alongside his company, Spotless Investment Limited, on an 11-count charge of fraud and money laundering before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun on October 22, 2018.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on October 24, 2018, in the sum of N50 million with sureties in like sum.
The EFCC alleged that Fayose received a cash payment of $5 million from the Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution.
The commission also alleged that the former governor retained N300 million in his bank account and took control of the aggregate sums of about N622 million which formed part of crime proceeds.
The witness, Mr. Joseph Machleb, was led in examination by the prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), at Thursday’s proceeding.
In his examination in chief, the witness told the court that he lived in Akure, Ondo State.
Machleb added that he works for a construction company, known as Samchase Nigeria Limited, as a mechanic.
When asked if he knew a company called JJ Technical Services Ltd., he answered “Yes.”
The witness told the court that the company was jointly incorporated by himself and his elder brother.
He informed the court that they handed over the company to one Azeez Michelle to solicit contracts.
When quizzed if the company was involved in buying property, he said: “I don’t know anything about that.
“I didn’t authorise Michelle to buy property; I only told him to look for contracts for the company.”
