A former Minister of Defence, 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.
thenation
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