N4.7 billion arms probe: Obanikoro now in custody, EFCC confirms

Posted by admin Corruption Politics, Latest Politics Monday, October 17th, 2016

N4.7 billion arms probe: Obanikoro now in custody, EFCC confirms

— 17th October 2016

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has confirmed that former Minister of Defense, Musiliu Obanikoro, has submitted himself to the Commission for investigation over his alleged involvement in a N4.7 billion arms probe.

Obanikoro was reportedly accompanied by eight associates and friends to the Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission around 1 pm Monday.

The former Minister of State Defence arrived in Lagos from the United States on Monday and headed to Abuja to keep the scheduled appointment with the Commission.

The Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that Obanikoro had reported to the Commission.

“The former Minister of State for Defence is with the Commission.”

The EFCC had invited Obanikoro to answer questions in relation to N4.75 billion arms funds which were traced to him.

The EFCC is investigating Sylvan McNamara, a firm belonging to two of Obanikoro’s sons, for receiving N4.75 billion arms funds from the office of the former National Security Adviser between April 4, 2014, and December 15, 2014.

The two sons are Babajide Obanikoro and Gbolahan Obanikoro.

Operatives in charge of the case are claiming, with documentary proof, that a total of N4.745 billion was paid into the Diamond Bank account of Sylvan McNamara during the period.

The company, which was incorporated in November 2011, had Ikenna Ezekwe, Idowu Oshodi and Elizabeth Adeniyi as directors.

But the company resolved to open an account with Diamond Bank Plc on May 7, 2016, with Gbolahan Obanikoro, Babajide Obanikoro, Ikenna Ezekwe and Theresa Matuluko as signatories.

The EFCC had frozen the account of the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, and the account of McNamara with Diamond Bank for illegal transactions in June, 2016.

Obanikoro was custody as operatives assembled to grill the former minister had not commenced the rigorous process by 3pm on Monday.

-Sunwp_posts