TheCable

Musiliu Obanikoro, former minister of state for defence, says it is painful testifying against Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti state.

Obanikoro is one of the witnesses testifying against Fayose, who is standing an alleged N2.2bn fraud trial.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Fayose for allegedly taking N2.2bn from the office of Sambo Dasuki, ex-national security adviser (NSA) for his governorship election in 2014.

The EFCC said Fayose received the N2.2bn from Dasuki, through Obanikoro.

While being cross-examined by Olalekan Ojo, Fayose’s counsel, Obanikoro said he was testifying against Fayose reluctantly because they enjoyed a good relationship while they were both members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

At a federal high court in Lagos on Monday, Obanikoro said despite testifying against Fayose, he would not want their relationship to be destroyed.

“I’m trying to restrain myself from saying things that will further damage our relationship,” Obanikoro told the lawyer.

“It’s painful for me to give evidence against him (Fayose); no doubt about it. It is indeed very painful.”

Obanikoro also denied reports that his properties were seized by the EFCC before he agreed to appear as the prosecution witness.

“At no point was any of my property confiscated during the investigation to the best of my knowledge,” Obanikoro said.

“The newspaper reports on confiscation of my properties can be said to be wrong. They were selling their papers.”