--My People:Can all this information - names, dates, monies, bank accounts, etc - be correct? Maybe the correct question is: can all of them be wrong?Another question: if a person is immune from being sued/arraigned, can he sue/have someone arraigned in court?Final question: if a person is immune, are his money and his personal aides immune too?Inquiring minds want to know......In my court o, Fayose certainly has a fat case to answer. In fact, I would have to recuse myself! :-)And there you have it.Bolaji Aluko
Table of FAYOSE GATE – Constructed From EFCC Affidavit
S/N
Date
Amount
Payer
Payee
Comment
Payee
(With Amounts in Million Naira)
Sylvan McNamara Ltd (Obanikoro)
DePrivatee Ltd.
(Agbele)
Fayose
Agbele
Spotless
(Fayose)
1
June 5 – 17, 2014
N2.260 billion
ONSA Sambo Dasuki
Sylvan McNamara Ltd.
Sylvan McNamara Ltd., Diamond Bank Plc. Acct. No. 0026223714. Principal signatory to this account is one Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro, son of the former State Minister of Defence Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro
2.260.00
2
June 17, 2014
N724.5 million
Musiliu Obanikoro, [in company of Aid de camp Lieutenant Colonel A.O Adewale]
Mr. Alade Oluseye [in the company of one Biodun Agbele]
Cash brought by chartered aircraft [GYRO AIR LTD., Registration No: HS125-800 5N-BMT] through Akure Airport
724.50
3
June 17, 2014
N100 million
Abiodun Agbele
Spotless Hotel
Spotless: Owned by Fayose and his wife, Helen Olayemi Fayose with Account No. 1010170969, Fayose's BVN is 223338867502 and his wife's BVN in the account is 22298990256
100.00
4
June 18, 2014
N494.990 million
Musiliu Obanikoro, [in company of Aid de camp Lieutenant Colonel A.O Adewale]
Mr. Alade Oluseye [in the company of one Biodun Agbele]
Cash brought by chartered aircraft through Akure Airport
494.99
Total So Far
2.260.00
1,219.49
100.00
5
June 19, 2014
N219.00 million
Biodun Agbele
De Privateer Limited
De Privateer Limited: Owned by Abiodun Agbele; Account No. 1013835889
219.00
6
June 19, 2014
N300 million
Biodun Agbele
De Privateer Limited
De Privateer Limited: Owned by Abiodun Agbele; Account No. 1013835889; Acct BVN is 22235692890
300.00
7
June 23, 2014
N200 million
Biodun Agbele
De Privateer Limited
De Privateer Limited: Owned by Abiodun Agbele; Account No. 1013835889; Acct BVN is 22235692890
200.00
8
June 23, 2014
N49 million
Abiodun Agbele
Spotless Hotel
Spotless: Owned by Fayose and his wife, Helen Olayemi Fayose with Account No. 1010170969, Fayose's BVN is 223338867502 and his wife's BVN in the account is 22298990256
49.00
Total So Far
718.00
149.00
[Balance in account: N89, 454,765.00]
9
June 26, 2014
N137 million
Abiodun Agbele
Ayodele Fayose
Fayose: Acct. #10003126654 with Zenith Bank through Teller-0556814. Fayose's BVN on the teller: 22338867502
137.00
10
August 22, 2014
N50 million
Abiodun Agbele
Ayodele Fayose
Ditto
50.00
11
August 27, 2014
N118.76 million
Abiodun Agbele
Ayodele Fayose
Ditto
118.76
Amount So Far
305.76
12
April 7, 2015
N300 million
Ayodele Fayose
Ayodele Fayose
Fayose: Fixed Deposit Account No 9013074033 with Zenith Bank at 15, Olusola Abiona Street, Olorunda Estate, Alapere Ketu. BVN: 22338867502
[This deposit is still in the account]
300.00
13
N263 million
Biodun Agbele
Biodun Agbele
Cash Retained from Obanikoro cash
263.00
Total So Far
2.260.00
718.00
305.76
1,482.49
149.00
[Balance in account: N89, 454,765.00]
S/N
Date
Amount
Payer
Payee
Comment
Sylvan McNamara Ltd (Obanikoro)
DePrivatee Ltd.
(Agbele)
Fayose
Agbele
Spotless
(Fayose)
Payee
(With Amounts in Million Naira)
SAHARA REPORTER
BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORKJUL 05, 2016
EFCC Counter-Affidavit Shows How Obanikoro Transferred NSA Billions To Fayose And How The Governor Collects Kickbacks, Loots Ekiti
SaharaReporters has obtained a damning copy of the counter-affidavit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti in connection with the freezing of his account with Zenith Bank.
Last week, the judge refused to grant an order to unfreeze the account. Instead, he summoned the commission and Zenith Bank, which holds the account, to appear before him on July 4 to explain why the governor's account of the Governor was frozen.
The EFCC counter-affidavit submitted to the court forced Gov. Fayose's lawyers to ask for a quick adjournment in the case, and the judge adjourned the case until September 30.
EFCC lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo had informed the court that his clients had filed a counter affidavit, with nine exhibits. Our sources say that when Mike Ozekhome, who is the governor's lawyer, saw the contents of the affidavit, he was left in shock.
The affidavit details how former Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro, who is currently hiding in Atlanta, USA, conspired with the currently-detained former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, to steal and divert the sum of N4.7billion of public funds to fund the rigging of Governor Fayose's election in 2014. Obanikoro's son, Jide, used his company, Sylvan McNamara Ltd to facilitate the stealing.
Among others, the counter-affidavit also details the movement of cash through Akure airport, including the registration number of the private jet used in the illegal transaction.
The document also exposes how, in addition to fraudulently retaining the sum of N1.2 billion stolen from the treasury of the Federal Government through the office of the NSA, Gov. Fayose has since assuming office in 2014 been stealing state funds and collecting kickbacks from contractors doing business with his government, which he invests in buying property in Lagos and Abuja.
The EFCC named some of the companies from which he has received such gratifications as Samchese Nigeria Limited, Tender Branch Concept Nig. Ltd, Hoff Concept Ltd, Calibre Consulting Ltd, Still Earth Ltd and Signachorr Nigeria Ltd.
Fayose, it further deposed, instructed Still Earth Ltd and Signachoor Nigeria Ltd to use the funds to acquire properties for him, which they did in the name of J.J. TECHNICAL SERVICES LTD, a company which belongs to the governor and his wife.
In addition, Fayose also used the name of one Mrs. Moji Ladeji, his sister, to acquire a property at No 44 Osun Crescent in Maitama, Abuja, from the proceeds of the alleged offences of receiving gratification and kickbacks.
Our correspondent said that outside the courtroom today, a number of protesters waved placards in support of the EFCC action against Governor Fayose.
------
Text of the counter-affidavit:
IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF NIGERIA
IN THE EKITI JUDICIAL DIVISION
HOLDEN AT EKITI
SUIT NO: FHC/AD/CS/27/2016
BETWEEN:
MR. AYODELE FAYOSE
(GOVERNOR OF EKITI STATE)…………………………. APPLICANT
AND
THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION }
ZENITH BANK PLC } RESPONDENTS
THE 1ST RESPONDENT COUNTER AFFIDAVIT IN OPPOSITION TO THE APPLICANT'S ORIGINATING SUMMONS DATED THE 23RD DAY OF JUNE, 2016.
I, Tosin Owobo, Male, Christian, Nigerian and an Investigating Officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, 15A, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos do solemnly and sincerely make oath and state as follows:
That I am one of the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission assigned to investigate this ma.
That I have the consent and authority of the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to depose to this counter affidavit in opposition to this originating summons.
That by virtue of my position as one of the Investigating Officer assigned to investigate this matter; I am well conversant with the fact of this case, having derived my knowledge of same in the course of my investigations.
That contrary to the paragraphs 5-16 of the Applicant's Affidavit in support of the Originating Summons, I know as a fact that the 1st Respondent received an oral damning intelligence report showing that the 2ndRespondent herein was in custody and in fact had in its possession the sum of N1, 299,490,000.00 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, Four Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira) being proceeds of economic and financial crimes.
That upon the receipt of this intelligence, the Commission analysed it and found same to be worthy of investigation.
That so far our investigation has revealed as follows:
That between the 5th and 17th day of June, 2014 the former state Minister of Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, in grand conspiracy with the Applicant and the former National Security Adviser Col. M.S Dasuki (RTD) fraudulently removed the sum of N2,260,000,000.00 (Two Billion, Two Hundred and Sixty Million Naira) from the account of the office of National Security Adviser which sum was fraudulently transferred to a company known as SYLVAN MCNAMARA LTD with account No. 0026223714 domiciled with Diamond Bank Plc. Attached and marked Exhibit EFCC 01 is copy of the mandate of the account belonging to SYLVAN MCNAMARA LTD and the extract of inflows from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the said account.
That the principal signatory to this account is one Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro, the son of the said former State Minister of Defence Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro.
That on the receipt of these proceeds of crime, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, fraudulently conveyed the sum of N1,219,490,000.00 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Nineteen Million, Four Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira) to Akure to the use of the Applicant.
That before the conveyance of the funds to Akure Airport Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, one Mr. Alade Oluseye a staff of the 2nd Respondent was informed by his colleague in the bank, Lawrence Akande, that a particular customer of the 2nd Respondent will be bringing cash to the Akure Airport for lodgment and that since the volume of the cash is quite heavy, there will be a need for the said Alade Oluseye to use the 2nd Respondent's Bullion Van to convey the cash.
That on the 17th day of June, 2014 Mr. Alade Oluseye in the company of one Biodun Agbele a front of the Applicant, went to the Akure Airport wherein they took cash delivery of the sum of N724,500,000.00 from Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and his acclaimed Aid de camp Lieutenant Colonel A.O Adewale.
That on the 18th day of June, 2014 another sum of N494, 990,000 was also delivered to Mr. Alade Oluseye by the said Minister in the same man.
That the total sum of N 1, 219,490,000 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Nineteen Million, Four Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira) was conveyed to Akure Air port by Senator Obanikoro through a chattered aircraft with Registration No: HS125-800 5N-BMT belonging to GYRO AIR LTD.
That on the 19th day of June,2014, after Mr. Alade Oluseye took delivery of the money being the proceeds of crime, Mr. Biodun Agbele the front of the Applicant, received an instruction from the Applicant to collect the money and made cash deposit in the sum of N219,000,000.00 (Two Hundred and Nineteen Million Naira) to De-privateer Ltd account No. 1013835889 domiciled with the Zenith Bank Plc. Attached and Marked exhibit EFCC 02 is a copy of the statement of account of DE- Privateer Ltd domiciled with the 2nd Respondent.
That on the same day the said Biodun Agbele made another cash deposit in the sum of N300,000,000.00 (Three Hundred Million Naira) being part of the proceeds of crimes to the said De- privateer Ltd's with the 2nd Respondent.
That on the 23rd June, 2014 the sum of N200, 000,000.00 (Two Hundred Million Naira) being part of these proceeds of crime, was also deposited to the said De-Privateer Ltd's account domiciled with the Respondent by Biodun Agbele whilst acting in concert with the Applicant.
That on the 26th day of June,2014 the said Biodun Agbele on the instruction of Applicant further dissipated the proceeds of crime by depositing the sum of N137,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Thirty Seven Million Naira) to account No. 1003126654 domiciled with the 2nd Respondent in the name of the Applicant. Attached and marked exhibit EFCC 03 is a statement of account of the said account domiciled with the Respondent.
That on the 22nd and 27th day of August, 2014 Biodun Agbele also deposited the sum of N50, 000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) and N118, 760,000.00 (One Hundred and Eighteen Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira) respectively to the said account which sum formed part of the proceeds of crime.
That in further dissipating the proceeds of crime deposited and retained in the account referred to in paragraphs (d) and (g) above, the sum of N300,000,000.00 (Three Hundred Million Naira) was put in a fixed deposit account No. 9013074033 in the name of the Applicant on the 7th day of April,2015. Attached and marked as exhibit EFCC 04 is a copy of the statement of the said account.
That this N300, 000,000.00 (Three Hundred Million Naira) is still in the account.
That on the 17th day of June, 2014 the same Biodun Agbele made another cash deposit in the sum of N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) being part of this proceeds of crime to a company known as Spotless Investment Ltd with account No. 1010170969 domiciled with the 2nd Respondent. Attached and marked as exhibit EFCC 05 is a copy of the statement of account of the said spotless investment Ltd.
That on the 23rd day of June, 2014 the sum of N 49,000,000.00 (Forty Nine Million Naira) being part of the proceeds of crime was also deposited to the said Spotless Investment Ltd Account with the Respondent.
That there is still a balance of N89, 454,765.00 (Eighty Nine Million, Four Hundred and Fifty Four Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty Five Naira) in this account being part of the proceeds of the crime.
That the said Abiodun Agbele whilst acting in concert with Alade Oluseye of the 2nd Respondent and the Applicant, after fraudulently receiving the sum of N1, 219,490,000.00 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, Four Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira) from Senator Obanikoro also fraudulently retained cash in the sum of N263, 000,000.00 (Two Hundred and Sixty ThreeMillion Naira) on the instruction of the Applicant.
That we have interviewed Mr. Alade Oluseye Sunday and his colleague Lawrence Akande and have informed us in writing about how these transactions were conducted. Attached and marked exhibit EFCC 06 and 07 are copies of their statements.
That apart from fraudulently retaining the sum of N1, 219,490,000.00 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, Four Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira) being part of the N4, 745,000,000.00 (Four billion, Seven Hundred and Forty Five Million Naira) stolen from the treasury of the Federal Government through the office of the National security Adviser, the Applicant has also received gratification in form of kick back from various contractors with the Ekiti State Government such as Samchese Nigeria Ltd, Tender Branch Concept Nig. Ltd, Hoff Concept Ltd, Calibre Consulting Ltd.
That the Applicant received these kick backs and gratification through Still Earth Ltd and Signachorr Nigeria Ltd.
That in turn the Applicant instructed the Still Earth Ltd and Signachoor Nigerialtd to use the funds to acquire properties for him.
That in complying with the Applicant's instruction, Still Earth Ltd and SignachoorNigeria ltd acquired properties on behalf of the Applicant in the name of companyknown as J.J. TECHNICAL SERVICES LTD belonging to the Applicant and his wife. Attached and marked Exhibit EFCC 08 are copies of the deeds of assignment for the said properties.
That the Applicant also used the name of one Mrs. Moji ladeji (the Applicant's sister) to acquire a property situate at No.44, Osun Crescent Maitama Abuja from the proceeds of the alleged offences of receiving gratification and kick.
That the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the exercise of his statutory mandate contained in section 34 of the EFCC Act having satisfied himself that the various sums of money in the account No. 1003126654, 9013074033, 1010170969 and 1013835888 domiciled with the 2nd Respondent were made through the commission of the an economic and financial crimes to wit: stealing and receiving gratification approached the Federal High Court Lagos Judicial Division, for an order directing the Manager of the 2nd Respondent to freeze the said accounts.
That in his wisdom, Hon. Justice M.B Idris granted the 1st Respondent's application wherein an order of interim attachment was made on the aforementioned accounts. Attached and marked exhibit EFCC 09 is a certified true copy of the said order.
That the said order was a preservative order to prevent further dissipation of proceeds of crimes.
That I was informed by Rotimi Oyedepo Iseoluwa of counsel in our office, 15A, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi Lagos at about 8:40 PM on the 2nd day of July,2016 and I verily believe him as follows:
That the 1st Respondent is statutorily empowered to investigate all economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.
That it is within the statutory powers of the 1st Respondent to preserve exhibits and proceeds of economic and financial crimes during investigation for possible prosecution.
That the 1st Respondent has statutory power to investigate the Applicant.
That the 1st Respondent has not encountered the Applicant by instituting any proceeding against him.
That the Applicant cannot use this Honourable Court as a shield against criminalinvestigation.
That that the order of interim attachment was neither directed at nor instituted against the Applicant.
That whilst the Applicant enjoins immunity against civil and criminal proceeding being a serving governor, proceeds of an economic and financial crimes allegedly committed by the Applicant do not enjoy such privilege
That the 1st Respondent has the power to direct the 2nd Respondent to place a stop order on any account if it discovered in the course of its duties that such accounts are suspected to be involved in any crimes.
That the Applicant will not be prejudiced should this application be dismissed.
That it will serve the course of justice to refuse this originating summons.
_____________________________________________________________________-
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mobolaji Aluko <alukome@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Jul 3, 2016 at 10:16 PM
Subject: FAYOSE-GATE and HOUSEMAID-GATE: EFCC traces N2.5b to ex-female minister's housemaid's account & Secures court order to detain Fayose's associate
To: USAAfrica Dialogue <USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com>, "nigerianid@yahoogroups.com" <nigerianID@yahoogroups.com>, naijaintellects <naijaintellects@googlegroups.com>, ekiti ekitigroups <ekitipanupo@yahoogroups.com>, NiDAN <nidan-group@googlegroups.com>, NaijaPolitics e-Group <NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com>My People:We have now added a multi-billionaire "house-maid" to our national stable of corruption....how do these people think of this kind of crookery?And with Fayose, following the money in the bank is all that is necessary to connect the dots......I have always been of the strong opinion that many (most?) of our banks in Nigeria are ESSENTIALLY criminal enterprises - for where is the principle of KYC - Know Your Customer? How can a common "housemaid" have as much as N2.5 - N5.6 billion in her account, and you don't REALLY know, and/or ask questions - unless of course you don't really wish to know, because it is easy money ready to be lent out in usurious interest rate? Suppose these are armed robbery (rather than pen robbery) proceeds? Or terrorism?Inquiring minds want to know.....Bolaji AlukoShaking his headTable of FAYOSE-AGBELE-GATE
S/N
Date
Amount
Payer
Payee
Comment
DePrivatee
Fayose
Agbele
Spotless
1
June 18, 2014
N219.49
???
De Privateer Limited
De Privateer Limited: Owned by Abiodun Agbele; Account No. 1013835889
218.49
2
June 19, 2014
N300million
???
De Privateer Limited
De Privateer Limited: Owned by Abiodun Agbele; Account No. 1013835889; Acct BVN is 22235692890
300.00
3
June 23, 2014
N200million
???
De Privateer Limited
De Privateer Limited: Owned by Abiodun Agbele; Account No. 1013835889; Acct BVN is 22235692890
200.00
Total So Far
718.49
5
June 26, 2014
N137million
Abiodun Agbele
Ayodele Fayose
Fayose: Acct. #10003126654 with Zenith Bank through Teller-0556814. Fayose's BVN on the teller: 22338867502
137.00
6
August 22, 2014
N50million
Abiodun Agbele
Ayodele Fayose
Ditto
50.00
7
August 27, 2014
N118.76
Abiodun Agbele
Ayodele Fayose
Ditto
118.76
Amount So Far
305.76
8
N300million
Ayodele Fayose
Ayodele Fayose
Fayose: Fixed Deposit Account No 9013074033 with Zenith Bank at 15, Olusola Abiona Street, Olorunda Estate, Alapere Ketu. BVN: 22338867502
300.00
9
N100million
Abiodun Agbele
Spotless Hotel
Spotless: Owned by Fayose and his wife, Helen Olayemi Fayose with Account No. 1010170969, Fayose's BVN is 223338867502 and his wife's BVN in the account is 22298990256
100.00
THE NATIONEFCC traces N2.5b to ex-female minister's housemaid's account
•Secures court order to detain Fayose's associate
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has laid its hands on a bank account with over N2.5billion opened in the name of a former female minister's housemaid.
Investigators of the anti-graft agency believe the account was opened by the former influential minister in the name of the housemaid as part of the effort to cover her track.
However, preliminary investigation has shown that the former minister is the sole signatory to the account, The Nation gathered authoritatively yesterday.
A highly placed EFCC source said yesterday that she would be brought to justice.
"Our findings indicated that the ex-female minister opened an account in the name of her housemaid and with her photograph. But the signature in the account is that of the ex-minister," the source said.
"At the time we made the discovery, over N2.5billion was in the account. But the volume of transactions in the account has been huge.
"We are suspecting that the ex-minister did not put the housemaid in the picture of what she wanted to do with her passport photograph.
"We have established that the ex-minister has been drawing funds from the said account. We have retrieved records of all transactions by the ex-Minister. We will soon bring her to justice no matter how long it takes to follow due process."
The EFCC, it was also gathered, has secured a court order to detain Abiodun Agbele (Alias Abbey), an associate of Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State.
Agbele was arrested during the week in respect of ongoing investigation into how about N4.745billion of the $2. 1billion arms cash was diverted to a former Minister of Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro and Governor Fayose.
The cash was allegedly sourced from the SAS Imprest Account of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under ex-NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki prior to the conduct of the June 21,2014 Ekiti Governorship poll.
About N1.219billion was allegedly disbursed to Fayose through Abiodun Agbele and De Privateer Limited which is owned by the associate.
The ONSA allegedly wired the N4.745billion via Sylvan Mcnamara Limited, a phony company allegedly run by the Obanikoros.
Said a source, "We have obtained a remand warrant from the court to detain Agbele; who was central to the collection and sharing of the N1.219billion into the accounts of Fayose and other beneficiaries.
"His arrest has enabled us to get to the root of how the funds came about and the disbursement formula.
"When presented with records of transactions and accruing tellers, the suspect admitted carrying out the transactions. He is helping our investigation and we will soon reveal the details to the public."
Before Agele's arrest, investigation had uncovered that:
"The N1, 219, 490,000 was not deposited in any account but it was kept in a vault in the bank. It took the bank officials about 10 days to count. The bankers refused to make entry until it was counted,
"Shortly after confirming the figure, Abiodun Agbele was used to coordinate the disbursement of the funds. On June 26, 2014, the wanted associate (Abiodun Agbele) paid N137million into Ayodele Fayose's account 10003126654 with Zenith Bank through Teller-0556814. Fayose's BVN on the teller is 22338867502. On August 22, 2014, he paid N50million into the same account. By the records from the bank, Abiodun Agbele paid another N118, 760,000 into Fayose's account on 27/8/14.
"Based on the transfers, Fayose moved N300million to a Fixed Deposit Account No 9013074033 with Zenith Bank at 15, Olusola Abiona Street, Olorunda Estate, Alapere Ketu. He has the same BVN-22338867502.
"After that, Abiodun deposited another N100million from the N1, 219, 490,000 into Spotless Hotel Account run by Fayose and his wife, Helen Olayemi Fayose with Account No. 1010170969, Fayose's BVN is 223338867502 and his wife's BVN in the account is 22298990256.
"The governor and his wife are the two directors and signatories of Spotless Hotel account."
In the course of the investigation, the EFCC team dug up how De Privateer Limited (a company owned by Abiodun Agbele) with Account No. 1013835889 received the sum of N219, 490,000 on June 18, 2014.
"On June 19, 2014, the same account received N300million and another N200million on June 23, 2014. The BVN of the account is 22235692890."
_________________________________________________________
SAHARA REPORTERS
BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORKJUL 03, 2016
EFCC Finds N2.5B In Former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah's Housemaid's Account
Agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have discovered the sum of N2.5 billion in a bank account opened in the name of a housemaid to former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, who is now a senator representing Anambra State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Two senior EFCC sources told our correspondent that the bank account and its huge deposits had been opened and operated without the knowledge of the former minister's housemaid. "Senator Oduah apparently opened the account with her housemaid's name, image, and details without the housemaid knowing about it," said one EFCC agent familiar with the scandal.
Another EFCC source told SaharaReporters that Ms. Oduah had been going around to some top officials of the Muhammadu Buhari administration seeking their help to scuttle her impending trial. Last week, she asked for a meeting with EFCC chairman Ibrahim Magu, claiming she wanted to meet in her official capacity as a senator.
The two EFCC sources who briefed our correspondent on the "housemaid" account disclosed that Ms. Oduah was the sole signatory to the account, adding that they were still connecting the dots to uncover how the ex-Aviation Minister managed to pull off such a money laundering operation.
"As of last week, the account was still active and contained over N2.5 billion," said one EFCC source. He added that he could not ascertain whether the EFCC chairman, who is currently traveling in Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj, had ordered the freezing of the account.
One of our EFCC sources revealed that the discovery of the "maid" account meant that the former minister must have stolen as much as N5.6 billion so far from the Aviation Ministry's funds during her ministerial term.
SaharaReporters had revealed in earlier reports that EFCC investigators had so far determined that Ms. Oduah split N3.6 billion that she acquired illegally among eight companies.
In August 2015, Ms. Oduah filed an application at a Federal High Court to stop the EFCC from investigating allegations that she bought two ostensibly bulletproof BMW cars at $1.6 million, or $800,000 apiece. A controversial judge, Justice Mohammed Yunusa, initially granted the order sought by Senator Oduah. However, in February 2016, after Justice Yunusa was transferred out of Lagos, another federal high court judge vacated the order, permitting the EFCC to carry on with its investigation.
SaharaReporters had broken the report about the BMW scam during Ms. Oduah's ministerial tenure. Several BMW dealers in Europe and North America told our reporters that what the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) paid for the two BMW cars far exceeded the price ranges for such bulletproof automobiles.
Ms. Oduah is a close ally of embattled Senate President Bukola Saraki, who is the defendant in two criminal trials in Abuja pertaining to forgery and false declaration of assets.
___________________________________________
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