Nov.9, 2021

The fourth prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Ope Saraki, a cousin to former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, on Monday told Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin how the defendant,  executed a contract awarded to McDrive Logistics & Institute Limited by Kwara State Government.

He also explained how the defendant who was then the Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, knowingly acquired indirect private interest in the said contract.

The Economic and Financial Crimes commission in a statement on Tuesday, said the witness, Adedayo Muyideen Dunmoye, while being led in evidence by counsel to the EFCC, Sesan Ola, told the court that his company, McDrive Logistics & Institute Limited bided for, and won the contract for supply of 13 units of 100KVA power generators for General/Specialist Hospitals in Kwara State.

He said that contrary to the contract’s specifications, thirteen 80KVA generators were supplied by another person/company other than his company, McDrive Logistics & Institute Limited. He stated that McDrive Logistics & Institute Limited had no business dealings with Chemiroy Nigeria Limited adding that, Ope Saraki executed the contract without his knowledge.

The offence is contrary to Section 12 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences, ICPC, Act, 2000.

“My Company, Mcdrive Logistics Limited, bided for, and won the contract. About N45million was paid into my company’s account in tranches. But, the defendant, (Ope Saraki) instructed me to bring the money that the project would be done in order of priority, which I did by issuing him cheques.

“I was actually called by one of the staff of the defendant to come to Ilorin, where I was shown the supplied generators. The defendant informed me that the generators were purchased by funds from another contractor, Chemiroy Nigeria Limited. No representatives of McDrives logistics, including myself was aware of the purchase of the generators up until that moment”.

Under cross-examination by Ope Saraki’s counsel, the witness said he wouldn’t know what transpired between the Office of the defendant and that of the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Millennium Development Goals, MDGs. He insisted that he was not happy that another person executed the contract awarded to his company without his consent, and he expressed his dismay to the defendant.

The first prosecution witness, PW1, Clement Olagunju, who represented Jubaili Bros Engineering Nigeria Limited had earlier confirmed to the court that it was the defendant (Ope Saraki), in company of one Lukman Sani that purchased the thirteen 80KVA generators from their company.

The case has been adjourned till February 8, 2022 for continuation of trial.