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How Fayose’s ally, Agbele, bought N1.3bn property in 4 months- Witness

A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Joanne Tolulope, yesterday narrated before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court in Lagos how Abiodun Agbele, an ally of a former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, bought property worth N1.3 billion within four months.

Tolulope made the narration while testifying in the on-going trial of Fayose and his company, Spotless Limited, over alleged N3.3 billion fraud. The witness, while being led in evidence by EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs, (SAN), informed the court that Agbele bought four charlets from her company, Still Earth Limited between March and July, 2015. The witness, who claimed to be an in-house counsel for Still Earth Limited, stated that the company deals in real estate and renovation of property to meet the needs and expected standard of its clients. In her testimony, she stated that sometimes between March and July 2015, her company was approached by Agbele through a phone call and requested if there are property available for sale.

“Incidentally, we have property for sale. We discussed about Mr. Agbele’s availability to come for inspection. He came sometimes in March 2015 to inspect the property and requested for two charlets of 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom respectively and paid N575 million and some fractions for the property. “Again, in July 2015 he (Agbele) approached us and bought charlets 6 and 9 for N573 million and some figures. He also approached us to register the Deed of Assignment in the name of JJ Technical Services,” the witness said. Attempt by EFCC’s lawyer,Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) to tender the Deed of Assignment as exhibit was resisted by defence lawyer, Ola Olanipekun (SAN), who raised objection as to the admissibility of the document. Following the objection, Jacobs informed the court that he would withdraw the document but will tender it later during trial.

On how the money was paid, the witness told the court that the sum of N800 million was deposited by De Privateer Limited into account of Still Earth Ltd, and a cash lodgement of N209 million from one, Taofeek, on the instructions of Abiodun Agbele She stated further that in January 2015 the sum of N105,750,000, was received from Capital Field Investment and Trust Limited, and N39,500,000 was received from Hoss Concept while another N40 million was received from De Privateer Limited.

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