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Arms deal: EFCC moves in on Obanikoro

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A former Minister of state for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro may not be too far from keeping an appointment with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigating the arms deal scandal, as the anti-graft body has turned its searchlight on two of his sons, Babajide and Gbolahan Obanikoro.

Both lads were said to have received about N4.8 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) through a company in which they have interest, Sylvan McNamara Limited.

EFCC sources disclosed that unlike payments to other beneficiaries from the ONSA which were tied to certain contracts, the payments to the Obanikoros’ company were made without any contract.

Read also: Dasukigate: I’ll talk at the right time, Jonathan says

The money alleged to have been paid in several tranches into the company’s account number: 0026223714 with Diamond bank, according to a source, were made between June and December 2014, coinciding with the preparation for and conduct of the Ekiti state governorship election.

According to the source, 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 entered 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.

Sources disclosed 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.

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