N4.7bn Arms Probe: Obanikoro Surrenders to EFCC

A former Minister of Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, has reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

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

He said, “The the former Minister of State for Defence is with the commission.”

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

The EFCC is investigating a firm, belonging two of Obanikoro’s sons, Sylvan McNamara, for receiving N4.75bn 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 N4.745bn 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 alleged illegal transaction in June, 2016.

Investigation revealed that Obanikoro would be taken into custody as the operatives assembled to grill the former minister had not commenced the rigorous process by 3pm on Monday.