4 persons Obanikoro has implicated in his confession to EFCC (pictured)

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro’s return to Nigeria from the United States to ‘willingly’ surrender to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has led to the implication of some people suspected of corruption.

Obanikoro who was a minister during the administration of Goodluck Jonathan was accused of being involved in the infamous arms scam as N4.75bn arms funds was reportedly traced to his account.

Obanikoro arrived in Lagos from the United States on Monday, October 17 and went to Abuja some hours later.

His visit to the EFCC was considered a surprise as he had early vowed not to return to Nigeria and had even dared the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to try to extradite him from the US.

READ ALSO; EFCC ask for legislation to receive cut from recovered loot

While the reason for changing his mind is not known yet, Obanikoro’s return has spelt trouble for some people as he has been making damaging statements to the EFCC that has implicated some people.

Here are four persons that have been implicated.

Governor Ayo Fayose

According to the statement made to the EFCC, Obanikoro said N4.745billion was wired to a company named Sylva Mcnamara within a period of seven months in 2014. He revealed that N2.23billion was transferred to Fayose out of the slush funds.

He said that out of the sum, he handed over $5,377,000 to Fayose in cash and N1.3billion which was received by the governor’s associate, Mr Abiodun Agbele.

He also admitted that the N1.3billion was flown to Akure airport in two chartered flights for delivery to Agbele. All this money was sourced from $2.1billion meant for arms from the ONSA.

Fayose is already under the radar of the EFCC as his bank account was frozen some months ago on allegation of corruption with only his immunity as a sitting governor preventing the anti0graft agency initiating his arrest.

Sambo Dasuki

Colonel Sambo Dasuki served as national security adviser under the administration of Goodluck Jonathan and was arrested by the EFCC over the infamous arms deal scandal.

It was reported that Dasuki channelled money meant for procurement of arms in the fight against Boko Haram to political campaign especially for the re-election of Goodluck Jonathan.

According to Obanikoro, N785 million was spent in Lagos on the order of Dasuki for an anti-Boko Haram campaign.

He said there was a perceived attempt by the terrorists to attack Lagos which necessitated the spending of the money.

An EFCC source said: “He told the panel that the N785m was spent on procurement of souvenirs for the campaign against Boko Haram in Lagos out of which N200m was spent on surveillance activities and N200m out of other remaining funds for operations was managed by the supposed owner of the company, Taiwo Kareem.”

Abiodun Agbele

Abiodun Agbele who is the aide and confidante of Governor Fayose was mentioned in the statement Obanikoro gave to the EFCC as the receiver of the N1.3 billion her flew to Akure in two chattered flights.

According to Obanikoro, the money was part of the $2.1 billion meant for the purchase of arms that was diverted by Dasuki.

READ ALSO: Obanikoro confirms giving money to Fayose, Omisore

Obanikoro said: The sum of N2.2billion was transferred to Sylva Mcnamara for onward transfer to Mr. Ayodele Fayose on the instruction of the NSA.

“The sum of N1.3billion cash was brought in a bullion van by Diamond Bank on the instruction of the NSA.
“In addition, the sum of N60million was converted to dollars at the rate of N168 per dollar and altogether the sum of $5,377,000 was handed over in cash by me to Mr Fayose while the N1.3billion was received by Mr Fayose’s associate, Mr Abiodun Agbele in the presence of my Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Lt Adewale who also accompanied them to the bank along with the bank officials.

“I didn’t interact with the bank officials. I called Fayose before the funds were handed over to Mr. Abiodun Agbele. I spoke to Fayose with my phone at Akure airport.”

Agbele had been arrested by the EFCC and arraigned before a Federal High court in Abuja on an eleven count charge but was granted N500 million bail by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba.

Obanikoro’s new confession to the EFCC implicates Agbele and cement the case against him.

Musiliu Obanikoro

It is not known if there is a plea-bargain agreement between the EFCC and Obanikoro but his confession will not just implicate other people alone. His confession that he transported cash to Ekiti even though on the instruction of Dasuki when he was minister of state for defence puts him in a precarious position.

From investigation, the EFCC discovered that Sylva Mcnamara Limited, allegedly owned by Obanikoro and his sons, was used to launder the N4.745billion.

Sylva Mcnamara Limited was incorporated in November 2011 and it had the following 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.

While Fayose may have been promised a form of lighter punishment, he still remains a suspect to the EFCC and the extent to which he might be punished is not certain.

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