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N4.7b Arms Cash Scandal: EFCC Detains Obanikoro

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Musiliu Obanikoro
  • N4.7b Arms Cash Scandal: EFCC Detains Obanikoro

An aide to Senator Obanikoro, Mr. Jonathan Eze, in a statement last night said the former minister had been detained by the anti-graft agency.

The statement said: “Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, the immediate past minister of defence and foreign affairs arrived in Abuja this morning (yesterday) and headed straight for the office of the EFCC.

“This is consequent upon an invitation sent to him by the anti-graft body, which was received on June 15, 2016, coincidentally at a time and period he was pursuing academic postgraduate degree in the United States.

“As at now, interrogations have ended and it will continue tomorrow. However, the minister shall remain with the operatives for further questioning tomorrow. (today).

“The officials were impressed with his decision to honour their invitation and so far, there has been mutual cooperation and understanding between the agency and my principal.

“We wish to use this medium to commend the EFCC for the mature way they went about the interrogations. They were truly professional.

“Senator Obanikoro has served this country at every level from local government chairman till his appointments as minister twice and he is proud of his contributions so far. He is not a fugitive as has been erroneously painted in the media and his returning to the country on his own volition is a further testimony to this.”

Former Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro yesterday surrendered to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), which is probing his role in the alleged disbursement of N4.745billion for the Ekiti State 2014 governorship election. The cash is believed to have come from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The anti-graft commission began the grilling of the ex-Minister at about 2pm.

The EFCC, said a source, was making efforts to secure a court order to keep Obanikoro in detention for the duration of his interrogation.

Also sighted at the EFCC yesterday was a former Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Tope Aluko, who was a witness to how about N1.299billion was flown to the state to influence the governorship poll in 2014.

It was learnt that Aluko may be a star witness against Obanikoro, Governor Ayodele Fayose and Fayose’s associate, Abiodun Agbele (Alias Abbey).

Obanikoro arrived in Abuja at about 10am, but the EFCC team did not start attending to him until about 2pm.

Clad in a white kaftan, Obanikoro, who looked trim, was seen at the EFCC’s office at about 1.40pm in company of the Deputy National Chairman of the Sheriff faction of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh and five others.

He was smiling and shaking hands with people, including reporters.

The presence of Aluko pointed to a likely encounter with Obanikoro in the interrogation room.

A source in EFCC, who spoke in confidence, said: “While were are preparing to declare him wanted, the ex-minister surrendered to the EFCC for interrogation in respect of the probe of alleged N4.745billion fraud.

“Obviously, Obanikoro is the long-awaited suspect and we believe his coming will assist us in the investigation of how the money was sourced from the $2.1billion meant for arms from the Office of the National Security (ONSA).

“We have grilled him for more than three hours but this may take some days. It is about 90 per cent certain that we are not likely to release him.

“We need to interact also with his sons and daughter, based on the evidence at our disposal.”

Earlier, in a WhatsApp message, Obanikoro said: “I am in Abuja, just wanted to be the one to tell you.”

The EFCC had discovered that Sylvan Mcnamara Limited, a company believed to be owned by Obanikoro and his sons, was used to launder the N4.745billion.

The company, which was incorporated in November 2011, has as its directors an 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.

Ezekwe’s accounts have been de-frozen by the EFCC since the slush funds were not traced to him.

A document on the investigation states: “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 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 ONSA as war chest for Ekiti Governorship poll, ex-Minister Obanikoro made the account of Sylvan Mcnamara Limited available and coordinated the disbursement.”

The breakdown of the disbursement is as follows: N759, 384, 300 changed into dollars through bureau de change firms; N160million spent on cars through Balmoral International Limited; N1, 219, 490,000 ferried by Obanikoro in two flights to Akure for Fayose’s associate, Abiodun; balance of about N2billion allegedly withdrawn by Obanikoro and his two children in cash.

Some of the bureaux de change involved in the transactions and the amounts credited to them are: A.A.G.B.S Oil and Gas (N168,000,000.00); Sylvan Mcnamara Ltd (N167,500,000.00); Northline Ltd (N835,000.00); Northline Ltd (N83,750,000.00); Five Star Ltd N(37,600,000.00); A.B.A Trading Ent (N268,301,500.00); Villagolf Bureau De Change (N1,425,000.00); Ahmad &Omar (N350,000.000); Northline Ltd (N1,680,000.00); Northline Limited A (N2,325,300); Rehoboth Homes (20,000,0000); Northline Ltd (N5,932,500.00); Northline Ltd (N842,500); Northline Ltd (N842,500.00).

The EFCC probe showed how N1.299 billion was flown to Akure Airport on June 12, 2014, to Fayose through Agbele.

A report on the investigation reads: “On June 12, 2014, N1.299 billion was flown from Lagos to Akure Airport by Musiliu Obanikoro through a chartered plane with Registration No: HS125-800 5N-BMT belonging to Gyro Air Limited.

“The N1.299 billion was in two consignments but flown in the same aircraft twice in the morning and in the evening. “From FAAN records, the first cash of N724, 500,000 arrived at Akure Airport at an estimated time of 9.38am and the second was at 17.57hours.

“A bullion van was brought to the tarmac at the airport in Akure to evacuate the cash to Plot 13 Alagbaka Estate, Akure.

“Obanikoro handed over the funds to Fayose’s associate, Abiodun Agbele (alias Abbey).”

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Government

Senate Suspends Senator Abdul Ningi for 3 Months Over Budget Padding Allegations

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Abdul-Ahmed-Ningi

The Senate has announced the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi for three months following his allegations of budget padding to the tune of N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget.

Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central and chairs the Senate Committee on Population, had made the claims in a recent interview with the Hausa service of the BBC.

During a plenary session, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, raised a motion to address Ningi’s allegations, citing the urgent need to address what he termed as “false allegations.”

The transcript of Ningi’s interview was read on the Senate floor, prompting deliberation on the appropriate action to take.

Initially, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proposed a 12-month suspension for Ningi, but Senator Chris Ekpeyong moved to reduce it to six months.

Eventually, Senator Garba Maidoki amended the motion further, suggesting a three-month suspension.

The amended motion was put to a voice vote, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision to suspend Ningi for three months.

Following the ruling, Ningi was escorted out of the Senate chamber by the Sergeants-at-arms.

The suspension comes amidst division within the Senate over Ningi’s claims, with some senators disowning his allegations and calling for a thorough investigation.

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Ekiti Governor Unveils Multi-Billion Naira Relief Programmes Amid Economic Crisis

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Biodun Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has announced a comprehensive relief package aimed at alleviating the hardship faced by the people of the state.

The relief programs encompass various sectors to cushion the impact of the economic downturn.

One of the key initiatives entails clearing salary arrears amounting to over N2.7 billion owed to both State and Local Government workers.

This move signifies the government’s commitment to addressing the financial burdens faced by its workforce.

Furthermore, Governor Oyebanji has approved a substantial increase of N600 million per month in the subvention of autonomous institutions, including the Judiciary and tertiary institutions.

This augmentation is intended to enable these institutions to implement wage awards in alignment with State and Local Government workers’ salaries.

In addition to addressing salary arrears, the relief programs extend to pensioners, with the approval of payments totaling N1.5 billion for two months’ pension arrears.

Moreover, an increase in the monthly gratuity payment to state pensioners and local government pensioners will provide additional financial support, totaling N200 million monthly.

The relief initiatives also encompass agricultural and small-scale business sectors.

The allocation of funds for food production and livestock transformation projects underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing food security and economic sustainability at the grassroots level.

Governor Oyebanji emphasized that these relief programs are part of the state’s concerted efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of the economic downturn and foster shared prosperity.

The comprehensive nature of the initiatives reflects a proactive approach towards addressing the challenges faced by Ekiti State residents.

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President Tinubu Orders Immediate Settlement of N342m Electricity Bill for Presidential Villa

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power project

President Bola Tinubu has directed the prompt settlement of a N342 million outstanding electricity bill owed by the Presidential Villa to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

This move comes in response to the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and the AEDC.

The AEDC had earlier threatened to disconnect electricity services to the Presidential Villa and 86 Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) over a total outstanding debt of N47.20 billion as of December 2023.

Contrary to the initial claim by the AEDC that the State House owed N923 million in electricity bills, the Presidency clarified that the actual outstanding amount is N342.35 million.

This discrepancy underscores the importance of accurate accounting and reconciliation between entities.

In a statement signed by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency affirmed the commitment to settle the debt promptly.

Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila assured that the debt would be paid to the AEDC before the end of the week.

The directive from the Presidency extends beyond the State House, as Gbajabiamila urged other MDAs to reconcile their accounts with the AEDC and settle their outstanding electricity bills.

The AEDC, on its part, issued a 10-day notice to the affected government agencies to settle their debts or face disconnection.

This development highlights the importance of financial accountability and responsible management of public utilities.

It also underscores the necessity for government entities to fulfill their financial obligations to service providers promptly, ensuring uninterrupted services and avoiding potential disruptions.

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