Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, yesterday paid
N100.4million out of about N785million allegedly collected from the
Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) by Sylvan McNamara Limited, a
company which was allegedly linked to him.
It is unclear when the ex-Minister will
pay the balance, but there are indications that he had entered into a
commitment with the EFCC.
But the ex-Minister may regain freedom any moment from now following the partial fulfilment of his undertaking.
His release is subject to the confirmation of the N100.4m in the relevant account.
The refund, however, does not preclude
the ex-Minister from trial depending on the weight of evidence and the
disposition of the anti-graft agency.
It was learnt that a prima facie case has been established “beyond reasonable doubt” against Obanikoro.
A top source in the EFCC, who spoke in
confidence, said: “After many days of foot-dragging, the ex-Minister has
paid back N100.4million out of about N785million allegedly collected
from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) by Sylvan McNamara
Limited, a company which was allegedly linked to him.
“I think we may grant him bail to give
him time to look for the balance of the cash. We are trying to verify
the government account he paid into and we want to confirm the payment.
We may release him any moment from now after the confirmation.
“This, however, does not mean that we
are dropping any charges against him. Our objective is first of all to
recover the illegal funds. The decision on his trial will depend on the
review of his case and the extent to which he is liable.
“You know the ex-Minister has admitted
flying over N1.299billion to Akure in two shuttles for Governor Ayodele
Fayose. The cash was collected by Fayose’s associate, Abiodun Agbele,
who is currently on trial.
“Obanikoro also confessed that he
personally gave $5.377m (N60m then) cash to Fayose. He admitted on oath
that he was used to siphon public funds meant for arms purchase. These
are all criminal offences which are punishable by the nation’s laws.
“The testimonies of Obanikoro will hasten his trial and ongoing prosecution of all the suspects implicated in the arms cash.”
On Governor Fayose, the source added:
“The governor is just grandstanding because of the immunity he enjoys.
He personally admitted collecting money from Zenith Bank as a campaign
gift. His associate, Agbele, reeled out how houses were bought from the
N1.299billion brought by Obanikoro. And the ex-Minister has finally
nailed him with his statement on oath.
“Fayose has a date with the court. It is
just a matter of time. In two years, he will be in the dock to account
for the contracts he executed in the ONSA to have earned such slush
funds.”
The EFCC had discovered that Sylvan
Mcnamara Limited, allegedly owned by Obanikoro and his sons, was used
to launder the N4.745billion.
Obanikoro told crack detectives of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that N3.880billion was
allocated to Governor Ayodele Fayose and Senator Iyiola Omisore out of
the said cash.
He also said he handed over $5.377m
(N60m then) cash to Fayose at Spotless Hotel, Ado-Ekiti in the presence
of the former Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state,
Dr. Tope Aluko, and other party stalwarts.
He said the balance of N785million was
expended on alleged anti-Boko Haram campaign in Lagos and the South-West
by Sylvan Mcnamara.
The company, which was incorporated in
November 2011 had the following as its directors: a close aide of the
ex-Minister, Ikenna Ezekwe (700,000 shares) of 51 Simpson Street,
Ebute-Metta; Idowu Oshodi(299,000 shares) of 8, Prince Tayo Adesanya
Street, Park View Estate, Ikoyi; and Elizabeth Adebiyi(1,000 shares) of
3, Adedoyin Street, Ijeshatedo, Surulere.
But Ikenna Ezekwe has had his accounts de-frozen by the EFCC since the slush funds were not traced to him.
Ezekwe has also been removed as the director of the slush company.
A document said: “To set the stage for
the use of the company for money laundering, the board of directors on
May 7, 2012 passed a resolution that the company should open an account
and appointed Mr. Gbolahan Obanikoro, Ikenna Ezekwe, Ms. Theresa
Matuluko (Secretary) and Mr. Babajide Obanikoro as the signatories to
the account.
“The board added that the signing combination be that any of the signatories can sign alone.”
According to the EFCC, when it was time
to illegally draw the N4.745billion from the ONSA as war chest for Ekiti
governorship poll, ex-Minister Obanikoro made the account of Sylvan
Mcnamara Limited available and coordinated the disbursement.
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