Fayose’s Fate Hangs In The Balance ’15th Witness Reveals Bombshell Details In EFCC Trial’

Fayose’s Fate Hangs In The Balance ’15th Witness Reveals Bombshell Details In EFCC Trial’The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) called its 15th witness on Thursday in the money laundering trial of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose. The witness, Joseph Machleb, was examined by prosecutor Rotimi Jacobs (SAN). Machleb, who is not fluent in English, informed the court that he lives in Akure, Ondo State, and works as a mechanic for a construction company named Samchase Nigeria Ltd.

When asked about his knowledge of JJ Technical Services Ltd., he confirmed he was aware of the company, which he co-founded with his older brother. He stated they had entrusted the company to Azeez Michelle to secure contracts. When questioned if the company was involved in property acquisition, he responded, “I don’t know anything about that. I didn’t authorize Michelle to buy property; I only told him to look for contracts for the company.”

During cross-examination by defense attorney Olalekan Ojo (SAN), Machleb clarified that he did not provide written authorization to Azeez Michelle to execute any transactions for JJ Technical Services. Ojo then inquired, “If I present you with a document showing you authorized it, would you remember?” The witness replied, “Maybe, I will.”

Ojo requested a document dated November 20, 2013, be shown to Machleb to help refresh his memory, in line with Section 239 of the Evidence Act. The prosecutor had no objections. Upon reviewing the document, the witness recognized his signature and confirmed that he had signed it. The defense counsel then submitted this evidence to the court, which was accepted as Exhibit A20.

Further cross-examination revealed that JJ Technical Services had authorized Azeez Michelle to sign and execute documents on behalf of the company. When asked if Michelle had executed multiple transactions based on Exhibit A20, the witness responded, “No, I don’t know.”

The defense counsel then introduced Exhibits MM1 and 2, asking if this was the first time he had seen the documents. The witness replied, “After these issues arose.” He reiterated that he had not received any documents and that his brother had only called to inform him of a problem within the company.

Ojo then asked, “When your brother told you there was a problem, you were worried and wanted your company to avoid any issues?” The witness affirmed, “Of course.” He also confirmed, as suggested by the defense counsel, that his company operates legitimately. He added that they had not sent any letter or memo to Michelle to inquire about documents MM1 and 2.

Ojo instructed the witness to look at the first defendant in the dock and confirm if he had seen him before. The witness responded, “Yes, I see him on TV,” and confirmed that he was aware of Fayose as the former governor of Ekiti.

The defense counsel then stated, “I suggest that you and your company had no business with him during his tenure as governor.” The witness replied, “No, I never, JJ never.” When asked if the defendant had ever traveled to Lebanon to visit family, he stated, “I don’t know.”

In response to whether Michelle had been updating him on activities related to the document, the witness denied it. He also stated that he did not know Biodun Agbele or have any transactions with him. When questioned about his visit to the EFCC, the witness confirmed positively.

Regarding whether the EFCC had shown him any documents concerning transactions between his company and the first defendant or Biodun Agbele, he stated, “They just showed me one agreement.”

During cross-examination by the initial defense attorney, Uchenna Njoku (SAN), the witness confirmed that his company had trusted Michelle to represent it based on confidence and had no reason to question his integrity thus far.

The court has adjourned proceedings until October 18 for the continuation of the trial. Fayose faces prosecution by the EFCC for alleged fraud and money laundering amounting to ₦6.9 billion.

He was first arraigned on October 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd., on 11 counts related to fraud and money laundering. Fayose pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of ₦50 million on October 24, 2018, with sureties of equivalent value.

He was later re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on July 2, 2019, after the case was transferred from Justice Olatoregun following a petition from the EFCC. He again pleaded not guilty and continued on the previously granted bail while the case was adjourned for trial.

The EFCC alleges that on June 17, 2014, Fayose and Abiodun Agbele acquired ₦1.2 billion to finance his gubernatorial campaign in Ekiti, claiming it was part of the proceeds from criminal activities. Additionally, the commission alleges that Fayose received a cash payment of five million dollars from then-Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, without involving any financial institution. They claim he retained ₦300 million in his bank account and controlled about ₦622 million as part of the crime proceeds.

Furthermore, the EFCC alleges that Fayose used approximately ₦1.6 billion in crime proceeds to acquire properties in Lagos and Abuja and that he spent ₦200 million of these proceeds to acquire a property in Abuja in his elder sister’s name, Moji Oladeji. The alleged offenses violate Sections 15(1), 15(2), 15(3), 16(2)(b), 16(d), and 18(c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011.