Probe: Obanikoros Linked With Arms Deals

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, Punch reports.

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 confided in a punch
correspondent, 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.