Dasukigate: EFCC Beams Searchlight On Obanikoro’s Sons Over N4.7b Curious Payments

Musiliu ObanikoroThe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has made another discovery in the investigation of how over $2.1 billion arms fund was disbursed by the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki.

Investigations by the commission led the EFCC to two sons of a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who were discovered to have received “curious” payments to the tune of N4.745 billion.

The sons are Babajide and Gbolahan, who are both directors of the company used as front for collecting the funds.

The suspicious funds were said to have been lodged into their accounts by the Office of the NSA.

Reliable sources in the anti-graft agency, who spoke in confidence, said the N4.8 billion was paid in tranches.

One of the sources said: “Two sons of former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, Babajide and Gbolahan, are currently on the radar of the EFCC. About N4,745,000,000.00 was traced to a company, Sylvan McNamara Limited, in which they have interest.

“The money was allegedly paid in several tranches into the company’s account number: 0026223714 with Diamond Bank from the Office of the National Security Adviser account with the CBN”.

According to another source, “all the transfers were done between June and December 2014, a period that coincided with the preparation for and conduct of the Ekiti state gubernatorial election which ushered in the current administration of Governor Ayodele Fayose.

“For instance, N200 million was transferred into Sylvan Mc Namara’s account on June 5, 2015, while N2 billion was also wired into the account from the CBN/Imprest Main account on June 16, 2016.

“Another transfer of N700 million hit the account on July 7, 2014, while N1 billion was credited to the account on July 30, 2014.

“Other transfers included N160 million on August 8, 2014; N225 million on August 22, 2014; N200 million on November 14, 2014 and N200 million on December 5, 2014.

“Both Gbolahan and Babajide Obanikoro, directors of the company, were also signatories to its account until 2014 when one Olalekan Ogunseye was made sole signatory to the account.

“The payments to the company from the office of the National Security Adviser were made without any contract”.

One of the sources pointed out that some of the funds traced to Obanikoro’s sons’ accounts were meant for procurement of arms and that very soon, they will be invited to explain what they know about the funds traced to their accounts.

Senator Obanikoro is currently in the United States where he is said to be furthering his education.