The
Task Force investigating the alleged diversion of $2.1bn meant for arms
procurement under the immediate past administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan
has embarked on a discrete investigation into the former Minister of State for
Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro.
It
was gathered that the team of EFCC investigators had traced the sum of N4.75bn
to the account of Silva McNamara Limited with Diamond Bank with links to the
family of the former minister.
A
top operative of the commission, who confirmed this, said that the company had
two sons of the former minister on its board.
The names of the relatives on the company’s board are Gbolahan Obanikoro and
Babajide Obanikoro.
It was stated that the duo were on the board of the company
till 2014 when one Olalekan Ogunseye became the sole signatory to the company’s
account.
Investigations revealed that the funds were paid into the
McNamara account from the Central Bank of Nigeria Imprest Account of the
National Security adviser between June 6, 2014 and December, 12, 2015.
The breakdown of the lodgements of funds into the account
during the six months period revealed that N200m was paid into the account on
June 6, 2014; N2bn on June 16, 2014; N60m on July 6, 2014 and N7, 000m on July
7, 2014.
Other lodgements into the account within the period include
the payment of N1bn on July 30, 2014; N160m on August 8, 2014; N225m on August
22, 2014; N200m on November, 14, 2014 and N200m on December, 5, 2014.
The source said that the commission was probing the payment
of N4.75bn to McNamara because the funds were released without any contractual
evidence.
It was however stated that Obanikoro’s name was not found in
the transactions as he was not on the board of the company.
It was stated that efforts are being made to unravel the
mystery behind the payment of the large amount of money to the company which
has two of his sons as members of the board of directors.
In his response, however, a media aide to Obanikoro, Mr.
Jonathan Eze, denied allegations that the former minister was involved in any
fraud.
He said all the allegations were mere speculations and urged
members of the public to treat them as such.
He said, “As far as Senator Obanikoro is concerned, these are
mere allegations that have not been proven and can never be proved. The former
minister insists that his children were never directors at the company and were
never signatories.
“These allegations are the handiwork of Sahara Reporters and I
have taken them to court. Very soon, the truth will be made known but I urge
members of the public not to believe these allegations. Senator Obanikoro’s
children are victims of cheap politics but the truth will be revealed.”
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