Barely three days in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria’s former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, has reportedly revealed how he spent the N4.68bn he allegedly collected from the then Dasuki-led Office of the National Security Adviser in 2014. He named the serving governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose and the Osun state Peoples Democratic Party flag bearer for the 2014 gubernatorial election, Iyiola Omisore, as beneficiaries of the slush fund.
Obanikoro flew into Nigeria from the United States on Monday and reported to the EFCC alongside his counsel. He has been on the radar of the anti-graft agency since the embattled ex-National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, listed him among those who received a part of the $2.1 bn from the #DasukiGate.
According to reports, Obanikoro told the EFCC that, “Out of N4.685billon transferred to Sylva McNamara Limited, N3.880billion was transferred to both Ayodele Fayose and Senator Omisore through cash and bank transfers.”
Apart from the money allegedly given to Fayose and Omisore, Obanikoro reportedly confessed to having disbursed another N785m to campaign against Boko Haram in Lagos. “He [Obanikoro] told the panel [at the EFCC] that the N785m was spent on procurement of souvenirs for the campaign against Boko Haram in Lagos out of which N200m was spent on surveillance activities and N200m out of other remaining funds for operations was managed by the supposed owner of the company, Taiwo Kareem,” a source in the commission told The Punch newspaper.
Looking at the circumstances that surround the ‘confessions’ made by Obanikoro and statements by those allegedly involved in the money disbursement, questions are being asked if the former minister is saying the truth or he seeks a deal that would eventually absolve him of allegations.
It is surprising to see Obanikoro voluntarily return to Nigeria now after about a year since the EFCC listed him as one of those who received money from Dasuki. His confessions also make his show up very suspicious. Could it be that the EFCC and Obanikoro have reached an agreement? An agreement that will see Obanikoro come to Nigeria and give credence to past ‘revelations’ that have implicated those involved in the #DasukiGate in exchange for lesser trial or not eventually charged to court.
In January 2016, the former secretary of the PDP in Ekiti state, Tope Aluko came out with a similar revelation in a controversial manner. Aluko, who had testified in the election tribunal to support Fayose’s election over a year ago, controversially went on Channels Television to say the election wasn’t free and fair.
If Aluko’s confession was correct and anything to go by, his previous testimony at the tribunal means he lied under oath which makes him liable to be prosecuted for perjury. But till now, his confession which substantiated the allegation levelled against Fayose by the EFCC has seemingly absolved him from the whole crisis, despite being a major player in it. Could Obanikoro be seeking a similar deal?
However, the confession of the onetime Lagos state governorship hopeful cannot be totally dismissed based on the controversies that surround it. After all, it may be true. If that is the case, this means the EFCC has gotten a vital and crucial confession that would help its investigation of the #DasukiGate.
In the meantime, Governor Ayodele Fayose enjoys immunity from any arrest or prosecution. Obanikoro is currently detained and Omisore does not enjoy immunity too and could be arrested. Whatever the EFCC does with Obanikoro and his testimony could tell us if he is looking to tell the truth or just seeking out a deal.
