Two sons of former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, Babajide and Gbolahan Obanikoro are currently on the radar of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, those familiar with the matter have told PREMIUM TIMES.
Sources at the anti-graft agency disclosed that about N4.75billion was traced to a company, Sylvan McNamara Limited, in which the two men have interest.
Operatives believe the investigation might lead to the invitation of former Minister Obanikoro himself. The politician is currently in the United States where he is said to be schooling.
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 the conduct of the Ekiti state gubernatorial election which ushered in the current administration of Governor Ayodele Fayose.
For instance N200m 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 N700million hit the account on July 7, 2014, while N1billion was credited to the account on July 30, 2014.
Other transfers included N160m on August 8, 2014; N225m on August 22, 2014; N200m on November 14, 2014 and N200m on December 5, 2014.
Both Gbolahan and Babajide Obanikoro, sources disclosed, as directors of the company, were also signatories to its account until 2014 when one Olalekan Ogunseye was made sole signatory to the account.
EFCC sources disclosed that the payments to the company from the office of the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, were made without any contract.
Mr. Dasuki is being prosecuted for allegedly mismanaging $2.1billion meant for arms procurement to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-west region of Nigeria.