Obanikoro Will Account for N4.7bn Fraud – EFCC

Obanikoro Former Minister of State for Defence will be made to account for the N4.7 billion traced to firms linked to him, if he is found to be culpable, a top source in the EFCC, said last night.

The source, who spoke in confidence, pointed out that the case of the former minister, who is in the commission’s custody, would be treated strictly on its merit, contrary to insinuations that the agency ferried him into the country to be used as a prosecution witness against other suspects in the $2.1 billion arms cash. “Let me make it clear that we did not bring the man from the United States of America to be used as a witness against any of the suspects we are investigating in respect of  the $2.1 billion arms cash scandal. “No two cases we are investigating are the same and it must be made clear that Obanikoro’s case has nothing to do with any other person being investigated by the commission. The truth of the matter is that we are just beginning the investigation of Obanikoro and evidence adduced from the probe will determine our next move against him. “But let it be made known that if evidence establishes that he committed the suspected financial crime, we will immediately charge him to court to show that we have no support whatsoever for corruption no matter who is involved.” The official, who was responding to allegation by Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, that Obanikoro was brought in from the U.S to nail him, pointed out that the commission did not intend to use the former minister for any trial.