As the anti-corruption war of President Muhamadu Buhari gathers momentum, the war has been extended to the Obanikoro household as the former Minister of State for defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and his two sons, Messr Babajide and Gbolahan Obanikoro will have the incoming days to spend with anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for their involvement in the Arms Deal Fund.
According to an EFCC insider, it was discovered that 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 the source, all the transfers were effected between June and December 2014, a period that coincided with the preparation for and conduct of the Ekiti state governorship 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 N2billion was also wired into the account from the CBN/ Imprest Main account on June 16, 2015. Another transfer of N700 million hit the account on July 7, 2014, while N1billion 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.
Reports have it that both Gbolahan and Babajide Obanikoro, as directors of the company, were also signatories to its account until 2014 when one Olalekan Ogunseye was made the sole signatory to the account. EFCC sources disclosed that the payments to the company from the office of the National Security Adviser were made without any contract.