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Obanikoro spends the night in EFCC cell

Musiliu Obanikoro

Musiliu Obanikoro

Former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro has been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Obanikoro who arrived the country early Monday morning went straight to Abuja to meet the EFCC over allegations of N4.75b arms funds traced to his account and that of his sons.

His counsel, James Onoja, SAN, confirmed to Premium Times that Obanikoro will pass the night at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.

Onoja said the former minister may be grilled overnight by EFCC detectives, adding: “He submitted himself to them upon returning to the country this morning (Monday). Unfortunately, he won’t be out again today.”

The lawyer said Obanikoro told his interrogators all he knew about the arms funds. “He told them all he knew in his statement, so we hope he’ll be released tomorrow (today)” but “if he’s not released, then we’ll have to do the needful. At least we have the courts and this is still a country that should be governed by the rule of law.”

The former minister who had initially vowed not to return to the country alleging persecution by the Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government, flew into the country on Monday.

The EFCC is investigating a firm belonging to two sons of Obanikoro, 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 and Gbolahan. The Commission is claiming, with documentary proof, that N4.745bn was paid into the Diamond Bank account of Sylvan McNamara during the period.

Obanikoro was also implicated in the Ekiti elections scandal where soldiers allegedly connived with the then PDP candidate, Ayo Fayose, to manipulate the elections.

Fayose later won the election against the incumbent governor and APC candidate, Kayode Fayemi.

However, Obanikoro has denied any wrongdoing.

The Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, has not issued any statement on Obanikoro’s interrogation and detention so far.

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