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Tag: Obanikoro

  • Obanikoro: no record of cash collected from Dasuki for Fayose

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard that there is no record of the N1.2 billion and $5 million which former Minister of State for Defence  Musiliu Obanikoro allegedly delivered to former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose.

    Testifying in Fayose’s trial for money laundering before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, the former minister, the fifth prosecution witness, said he did not sign for the money he received from former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).

    “I did not sign any record at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for the money that I collected,” he said.

    Obanikoro was cross-examined by defence lawyer Kanu Agabi (SAN) (for Fayose) and Olalekan Ojo (SAN) (for Fayose’s company and co-accused Spotless Limited).

    The former minister agreed that he was also under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and that he was eventually made to return N200 million of the money he received from Dasuki.

    “I was being investigated over funds disbursed through the ONSA. I was kept in EFCC custody for 21 days. I reluctantly returned the N200 million cash. Some money was seized from an account related to me,” Obanikoro said.

    The witness explained how he came about using the account of Sylvan Mcnamara Limited to receive money from ONSA.

    He said Dasuki’s successor wrote a petition against him and the company, alleging that they collected funds for which no contract was executed.

    “It was the NSA (Dasuki) that requested me to furnish the account. The request to furnish the account was made orally,” he said.

    Obanikoro said Dasuki told him that the account was for transferring funds meant for the security of Lagos.

    “The account was for securing Lagos. I sourced the account from Taiwo Kareem; it remained his property. We came about the company (Sylvan Mcnamara) because they made a presentation to the ONSA and was found to have the capacity for securing Lagos,” he said.

    Asked if Sylvan Mcnamara was a security company, Obanikoro said he would not know until he saw the firm’s articles of incorporation.

    “That’s the purpose it was used for (securing Lagos). The decision to qualify Sylvan Mcnamara was that of the NSA. I introduced the company to NSA and the approval was given,” he said.

    Asked what the NSA had in mind when he asked him to source for the account, Obanikoro said: “The NSA wanted to protect Lagos. I deserve a medal of honour for the protection of Lagos, which we did successfully.”

    On why the account appeared to be shrouded in secrecy, he said: “Clandestine security operations don’t work the way an average person wants it to work.”

    Obanikoro admitted that some funds were transferred from the account to Rehoboth Homes, such as N74 million on May 31, 2014.

    He explained that Rehoboth Homes “must have been one of the vehicles to get the dollar content to Fayose”.

    Other sums, such as N5 million, were also transferred to unknown persons from the account on at least three different times.

    Agabi said: “The reason they hide the identities of the recipients is because their job is evil.”

    Obanikoro responded: “I am not an evil doer, sir. When a job is for society’s good, it cannot be characterised as evil. You do not keep records for some of these transactions.”

    The witness said some of the funds were transferred while he was sourcing for dollars to deliver to Fayose.

    He said he did not bother about checking out the companies or individuals that got the funds, such as Capital Field, which got N167.5 million.

    “When you’re sourcing for forex, what you look out for is for a credible source, not the name of the company,” he said.

    Obanikoro added that the NSA never asked him at any time to render an account.

    According to him, he would not have taken the assignment if he was not satisfied that it was legitimate.

    “And those who brought you under suspicion were acting in bad faith,” Agabi said.

    “Yes,” Obanikoro responded.

    The former minister agreed that he had no right to disburse the funds for other purposes.

    He said he did not supply to EFCC the call log of his conversations with Fayose.

    Asked what his mission in Ekiti State was, Obanikoro paused for a while, before saying: “I’m trying to restrain myself from saying things that will further damage my relationship with him (Fayose). I was in Ado-Ekiti (the state capital) in furtherance of his governorship bid. It’s very painful for me to give evidence against him, no doubt about that.”

    When Ojo asked: “You were in Ekiti as a leader of the PDP?” Obanikoro said: “Correct.”

    Fayose is on trial for allegedly receiving and keeping N1.2 billion and $5 million reportedly stolen from ONSA, contrary to the Money Laundering Act.

    The former governor had pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned on an 11-count charge last October 22.

    EFCC said Fayose and Biodun Agbele, who is facing a different charge, allegedly took possession of N1,219,000,000 on June 17, 2014 to fund the former governor’s 2014 campaign.

    The commission said Fayose “reasonably ought to have known” that the money “formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing.”

    The EFCC said Fayose, on the same day, received a cash payment of $5 million from Obanikoro without going through a financial institution, the sum having exceeded the amount authorised by law.

    The anti-graft agency listed Obanikoro as one of 22 witnesses to testify in the trial, which continues today.

  • AD condemns destruction of posters, flags in Lagos

    The chairman of Alliance for Democracy (AD) Lagos State chapter Kola Ajayi has condemned the destruction of its party flags and obstruction of posters across Lagos describing it as a mockery of democracy.

    Speaking with reporters at the weekend at the party secretariat in Obanikoro, Lagos Ajayi said: “We have many registered political parties in Lagos of which Alliance for Democracy is one of them and we all have right to campaign during election to solicit for votes and support of the electorates, I wonder why AD is at the receiving end”.

    Ajayi asked why some of the opposition members decided to attack Alliance for Democracy by denying them of their rights.

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    “This and many more are questions we are asking and we won’t stop asking until we get answers because it is our right,” he stated.

    He added: “It was our initiative to mount flags in strategic locations in Lagos to solicit for endorsement but to our surprise those flags was allegedly removed overnight by the ruling party and PDP, they proceeded to mount theirs. They also pasted their own posters on our own to obstruct them.”

    He said the party will not cease to condemn their undemocratic acts and they will continue to demand for our rights.

    “Alliance for democracy should be left in peace to campaign during elections, it is our right and we will continue to demand for it, this is democracy and we refuse to surrender to intimidation and persecution,” he said.

    He stated the party had written to the Nigeria Police Force but it has not yielded positive result, stressing the AD is a law abiding party and we will continue to appeal to our members to toe the path of peace no matter the level of provocation.

  • My role in movement of $5m to Fayose, by Obanikoro

    A former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, yesterday told the Federal High Court in Lagos the role he played in moving $5 million to Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

    He testified in the trial of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) EFCC charged Fayose and Abiodun Agbele, who is facing a different charge, with taking possession of N1, 219, 000, 000 on June 17, 2014 to fund the former governor’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign.

    The commission said Fayose “reasonably ought to have known” that the money “formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing.”

    EFCC said Fayose, on the same day, received cash payment of $5million from Obanikoro without going through a financial institution, the sum having exceeded the amount authorised by law.

    The alleged offence, EFCC said, contravenes Sections 1, 15 (2) (d and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 and punishable under Section 15 (3) and (4)..

    Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Obanikoro, the fifth prosecution witness, said the money was paid to Fayose’s account from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in June 2014.

    According to the former minister, in June 2014 ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election,  he received a call from Fayose asking if there was any “message” from the then National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

    Obanikoro said the NSA eventually confirmed to him that he had a “message” for the accused.

    The witness said Dasuki told him that money would be received in an account that was opened to manage Boko Haram insurgency under his watch as Minister of State for Defence.

    “The NSA told me that Fayose will call me as to how he will receive the money. A total equivalent of $5million from the NSA impress account was given to Fayose by the order of NSA,” Obanikoro said.

    The witness said Fayose introduced Biodun Agbele to him, explaining that he would be the one to receive the money for him, which was done at the Akure Airport “because it was physical cash.”

    “I had earlier wanted to transfer the dollars so that the naira equivalent can be withdrawn in Ado Ekiti which was the reason why I initially called Diamond Bank Managing Director, but he replied that the bank did not have such capacity in Ado Ekiti for that huge amount of money,” Obanikoro said.

    The former minister of state said his late aide was in the meeting where Fayose acknowledged receipt of total naira equivalent of $5million at Spotless Hotel owned by Fayose.

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    Jacobs then showed the witness exhibit E to confirm if it was the account to which the funds were transferred and the witness replied: “Yes”.

    Obanikoro told the court that on June 13, 2014, and June 16, 2014, funds were posted into the account, adding that the funds were from the NSA’s impress account.

    He said that he asked Fayose how he wanted the money sent, and that the former governor told him that some it should be paid in naira and others in dollars.

    According to the witness, the money was eventually brought in a bullion van to the private wing of the Ikeja Airport, where Agbele, sent by the accused, was on standby.

    He testified that after confirmation from the accused, the money was taken to Ado-Ekiti, following which he went to meet Fayose.

    Obanikoro said the transactions occurred “about three days to the election”.

    On the source of the money, the witness said: “The NSA is the only person that can ascertain the source of the money; it is from the impress account of the NSA.”

    Obanikoro said that the account from which the money was transferred from was used for security purposes.

  • Fayose’s trial: Obanikoro admits he was suspect

    The trial of the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, resumed on Monday before a Federal High Court, Lagos, with a prosecution witness, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, admitting he was suspected and investigated.

    Obanikoro, a former Minister of State for Defence, was cross-examined by defence counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

    Fayose was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Oct. 22, 2018, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd. on an 11-count charge bordering on N6.9 billion fraud.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charge, and was granted bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum.

    The EFCC opened its case on Nov. 19, 2018, and has so far called five witnesses.

    Obanikoro, the fifth prosecution witness, began evidence on Jan. 21, saying that Fayose received five million dollars and some amounts of naira from the impress account of a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, in June 2014.

    The court adjourned until Monday for his cross-examination.

    Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) appeared for the EFCC on Monday while Agabi and Olalekan Ojo (SAN) represented Fayose and Spotless Investment, respectively.

    On cross-examination by Agabi, Obanikoro admitted that there was a long time between when he was invited for evidence and when he finally came.

    He also admitted that he was a suspect and investigated when he made a statement to the EFCC.

    When told that he made the statement in self-defence, he said: “I gave evidence of what transpired; I was stating the truth and nothing but the truth.”

    He testified that he was investigated about funds disbursed through the Office of the National Security Adviser.

    “I was in custody for 21 days.”

    When asked how many statement he made when in custody, the witness replied that he made several statements but could not remember how many.

    He told the court that his investigation did not result in confiscation of his property.

    When  told that, from his statement, he did not say that the accused requested him to contact the NSA, he said:  “That is correct.”

    He admitted  that N1.3 billion was brought in bullion van by Diamond Bank on the instruction of the NSA.

    Obanikoro testified that his statement -Exhibit G – was made in answer to a petition against him by the NSA, complaining that a company,  Silver Macnamara, collected funds for which no contract was executed.

    The witness said that the former NSA  orally requested him to furnish that account.

    “If that was the case, why would the NSA turn around to petition you, ” Agabi asked.

    Obanikoro told the court that it was not Dasuki but the current NSA who petitioned him.

    He told the court that he was aware that his son, Gbolahan aged, 33,  paid  N20, 000, into the account of Silver Macnamara in 2012.

    “Look at other disbursements and tell the court if some of them are from members of your family,” Agabi told the witness, who replied that he could only see his name.

    Obanikoro testified that N74,000 was  the balance in that account before June 5, 2014, when N200 million was paid into it.

    “I put it to you that you were the owner of the funds in the account,” Agabi said, but the witness replied:  “That’s not true, that’s not correct.”

    Under cross-examination by Ojo, Obanikoro told the court that the money in the account of silver Macnamara was kept in a bank and not in his custody.

    “You agreed to return the sum of N200 million to the government of Nigeria,” Ojo told the witness, who replied: You are very wrong.”

    ” As at the time of your statement, Exhibit G, the sum of N200 million had been disbursed from the account based on your instructions to the bank,” Ojo added, with Obanikoro replying:  “It was disbursed not once and not twice on my instruction.”

    Ojo told him that he agreed to refund the N200 million because he ought not to have spent the money the way he did, but the  witness replied: ” That’s not correct; it is because it was intended to secure Lagos.”

    “So you agreed to return N200 million spent to secure Lagos?” Ojo asked, but Obanikoro said: “It was a reluctant agreement.”

    He testified that he indicated in his statement of Oct. 19, 2016, the purpose of the N200 million he agreed to refund and indicated what it was meant for.

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    When asked whether he  was satisfied with the content of his statement to the EFCC before signing it, he said: “Yes and no.”

    Ojo told the witness that he did not mention in his statement that Fayose requested to know from him if there was any message from Dasuki, and he said: “Yes.”

    The witness said that he did not give the EFCC any telephone number with which he  had any discussion with Fayose.

    On the number of days he spent in Ado-Ekiti and what he was did there, the witness replied that he could not recall the number of days spent, but  said he was in the state capital to pursue Fayose’s gubernatorial ambition.

    ” I suggest to you that you are giving evidence here reluctantly,”  Ojo said, and the witness replied: “It is even painful for me to give this evidence;  I must admit that.

    “Can you recall that on June 21, 2014, gubernatorial election was held in Ekiti? Ojo asked,  but the witnes said: “I can’t recall the date.”

    The trial will  continue on Tuesday.

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun handling the trial, had earlier risen shortly after the court began sitting over the case.

    She attend an official function and returned an hour later.

  • EFCC: How Obanikoro settled Fayose with N1.2b

    •Lists Obanikoro, Dasuki’s aide, 20 others as witnesses
    •Commision lists 11 charges against ex-Ekiti gov

    All is set for the commencement of the trial of the immediate past former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose following the filing of 11 charges against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The agency is accusing Fayose of benefitting from N4.65billion slush funds allocated by the Office of National Security Adviser(ONSA) by  the Jonathan Administration.

    The former governor was allegedly allocated N1.219 billion and $5million respectively from the funds.

    He is scheduled to be arraigned at the Federal High Court, Lagos, tomorrow.

    He was handed his flight ticket last night.

    The EFCC has listed 22 witnesses including a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who allegedly ferried the N1.219billion and $5m in cash in two chartered jets to him.

    Other key witnesses are a former Director of Finance in the office of National Security Adviser, Salisu Shuaibu and Ayotunde Owope, who was Fayose’s account officer.

    Obanikoro’s statement to the EFCC on the deal revealed who got what from the funds.

    In the summary of the case sighted by The Nation, the EFCC said: “During and before the Ekiti Governorship election in 2014 around June 2014. Mr. Ayodele Fayose who was then the candidate of PDP in Ekiti State called and asked if the NSA (Col. Sambo Dasuki rtd) has reached him (Obanikoro) with any information or message. Senator Obanikoro answered in the negative but promised to call the NSA and revert back to him.

    “He spoke to the then NSA who informed him that he had a message which will be transmitted through him to Ayodele Fayose and further requested for an account in which the said message will be transferred or delivered for onward transfer or delivery to Ayodele Fayose. Senator Obanikoro then called Fayose and confirmed to him that a message will be delivered to him any moment from that time as confirmed by the NSA.

    “He sourced for an account Slyvan Mcnamara Limited and forwarded same to the NSA, Sambo Ibrahim Dasuki. On 5th June, the first transaction of N200 million entered into the account and on 16th June, 2014, the sum of N2 Billion was transferred into the account, making it a total sum of N2.2 Billion paid into Mcnamara with Diamond Bank domiciled in Lagos.

    “He acknowledged the receipt of the funds to the NSA who instructed that the funds be given to Ayodele Fayose, the funds came from the office of the National Security Adviser and SAS imprest main account respectively.

    “Ayodele Fayose called Senantor Obanikoro several times before the money eventually came and on his last call, he confirmed the transfer of the money into the account and the instruction of NSA. Ayodele Fayose said N1.2 billion of the money should be made available in cash while the balance should be converted into dollars. These instructions were carried out by him (Obanikoro).

    “The sum of about N1 billion was given to various Bureau de Change for conversion into dollars. The dollars that were available about $4 million plus was personally handed, delivered to Fayose Ayodele, then candidate of PDP at the time by him in Ado Ekiti at Spotless Hotel, while the balance of $1 million was later collected by his SAA late Justin Erukea who brought it to him in Ekiti which he also handled over to Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

    “He was not privy to the discussion between Fayose and the NSA. The balance of N1.2 billion was left and later withdrawn cash from the account in Lagos and airlifted to (Ado Ekiti) Akure where he handed over to Fayose’s associates Mr. Biodun Agbele. On arrival in Akure, he called Mr. Fayose to reconfirm, the instruction to hand over the money to Mr. Agbele who received him on arrival in Akure and reconfirmed the instructions.

    “He handed over the money to Mr. Biodun Agbele and instructed his ADC (Lt. Commander Adewale) to escort him (Agbele) to the bank since he indicated that he wanted to take the money to the bank. On arrival, he saw bullion vans packed to convey the money to the bank. The bullion vans were provided by the bank (Zenith bank). The bank manager was also present.”

    According to the charge sheet obtained from the court,

  • Fayose to explain ‘$5.3m he got from Obanikoro’

    •Ex-governor asks for mattress

    Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose is telling the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detectives all he knows about the N4.685 billion allegedly withdrawn from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    Fayose spoke yesterday after 72 hours in detention. He admitted knowing a former Minister of State (Defence) Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, who ferried N1.299billion slush funds to him in a chartered jet.

    He also said he has links with Abiodun Agbele, who allegedly bought six choice properties for him in Lagos and Abuja.

    But the ex-governor added  drama to his grilling when he wrote the EFCC to demand an additional mattress in his cell.

    He said sleeping on two mattresses will be more comfortable for him. The EFCC was looking into his request as at the time of filing this report.

    The governor, who had vowed not to speak, made a U-Turn, The Nation learnt.

    Agbele and Obanikoro are central to the disbursement and receipt of N1.299billion and $5.377million to him.

    “The $5, 377,000 was handed over in cash by Obanikoro to Fayose while the N1.299billion was received by Agbele on Fayose’s behalf in the presence of the ex-minister’s Aide-de-Camp who also accompanied them to the bank,” a source close to the investigation said, adding:

    “From the $5million, Fayose gave his Personal Assistant Agbele about $1million which he exchanged to Naira and paid for properties on behalf of the governor.

    “These assets include four in Lagos (N1.1billion) and two in Abuja worth about N500million to N700million.

    “The properties, worth N1.8billion, were purchased with the said proceeds of crime.”

    Fayose has been asking the EFCC to take him to court.

    The source said: “Fayose will still undergo another round of grilling on Friday (today). We cannot just arraign him in court without obtaining a statement from him.

    “By Friday, he has to explain the following:

    • Did Obanikoro hand over cash to him and Agbele?
    • What was the N1.299b meant for?
    • Did Agbele buy properties for him? How did his associate acquire the six properties for him?

    “So far, Fayose remains in custody till he is able to respond to issues isolated for him.”

    Fayose wrote a letter to the EFCC demanding an additional mattress to sleep on.

    He said one mattress was too flat to accommodate his frame in the cell.

    ”He has demanded for a second mattress from the anti-graft agency and I think they are looking into his request.

    “They want to find out from him the type of mattress needed to make him comfortable in custody,” the source said.

    Fayose’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), said efforts had begun to secure his release from EFCC custody.

    Ozekhome told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that “Fayose’s lawyers are already taking steps to enforce his fundamental human rights by getting him released.

    ”Yes, his lawyers will go to court to enforce his fundamental human rights.

    ”The EFCC has no right to keep him for over 24 hours.

    “If they have done that by obtaining a Magistrate Court’s Order that will be in the form of “holding charge” which has been declared unconstitutional and illegal by the Supreme Court. Holding charge is illegal. It is unconstitutional.’’

    Ozekhome said that the section of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) permitting a magistrate to detain a suspect for 14 days was illegal.

    According to him, any action outside the provisions of Section 35 of the Constitution, which specifically provides for 24 hours, is illegal and unconstitutional.

    The EFCC, also yesterday disowned a tape in which its Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu is said to have claimed that nothing would happen should Fayose die in detention.

    The Head of Media Wilson Uwujaren said the purported audio tape was fake.

    The statement said: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission wishes to alert the general public about an audio recording of a conversation currently circulating in the social media in which the Acting Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu, purportedly made comments to the effect that nothing will happen peradventure Ayo Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State, dies in custody.

    “Interestingly, the audio tape did not disclose the place where the conversation occurred and the person that Magu was supposedly talking to.

    “Purveyors of this fake news especially a former spokesperson of a leading political party, are warned to desist.”

     

    •Lawyer to file action

  • Notorious cultist, another killed in political gathering

    .Police arrest 21, invite Kuye

    A notorious cultist and alleged serial murderer known as Ibrahim alias Small Japron was on Wednesday evening killed by a rival cult group at a political party that political gathering in Obanikoro.

    Also killed was one Solo said to be a dreaded cultist in Somolu.

    It was gathered that the duo were among several other persons who attended the gathering organised by House of Representatives member Ademorin Kuye.

    It was learnt that the gathering was held at Home Touch, 228 Ikorodu Road by Obanikoro.

    The Nation reports that Small Jepron has been arrested by the police on several occasions and imprisoned but he usually found his way out to continue his reign of terror in Somolu, Bariga, Fadeyi and Ojuelegba areas of the state.

    Sources said the deceased were trailed to the place by the rival cultists, who also attacked people.

    Confirming the incident the police said they died as a result of injuries sustained during the fight.

    Spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) said 21 suspects were apprehended and were being questioned, adding that Kuye has been invited for questioning.

    He said: “Recall that the Command had on September 10, issued a press statement warning politicians not to gather in public places without notifying the police to enable adequate provision of security and prevent hoodlums from hijacking such events.

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    “Regrettably, the host of the political meeting, Hon. Ademorin Kuye did not inform the police of his intention to host his supporters.

    “However, 21 persons have so far been arrested in connection with the case and are currently being questioned by homicide detectives of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) Panti, Yaba. Also invited to Panti, is the politician, Hon. Ademorin Kuye.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Imohimi Edgal has ordered a manhunt for the perpetrators of this act, vowing that the command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring they are prosecuted.

    “He once again requests politicians to inform the police before gathering in public places. He notes that until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gives the go ahead, political campaign at this time is illegal and those in breach of the Electoral Act will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

  • Be brave to succeed, Obanikoro advises students

    Former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has said youths can still break the odds despite Nigeria’s socio-economic and political challenges.

    According to him, all they need as weapons are will power, prayers, hard work and the I-can-do-it spirit.

    Speaking on the theme:  Youths and politics: The challenges of today, as part of activities for the  yearly Students’ Week of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) Oto, Ijanikin, Obanikoro recalled how he, as a young undergraduate of Southern Texas University in 1981, was influenced into politics by a retired American congressman Mickey leland of Houston in Texas. He added that since then, that singular experienced placed on his shoulder a huge responsibility to impact on the coming generations.

    Obanikoro noted that each generation was meant to address its peculiar challenges. For instance, he said the pre-independence Nigeria witnessed the likes of former Premier of Western Region Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and his counterpart in the East Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe, among others, who fought for Nigeria’s independence, noting that the turn of the 20th century also featured progressives that took power from the military and entrenched democracy the nation still enjoys.

    Nonetheless, while the two aforementioned generations had free and quality education and in a robust economy, the former lawmaker lamented that the Nigeria  has left the youths in a situation whereby they have to fight for everything.

    “Unfortunately, you are in the same world where your counterparts in Europe and America have access to better life and quality education at almost next to nothing, but here (Nigeria), you have to struggle for everything. However, you must learn to encourage yourselves. Be determined to create a change in your little world,” Obanikoro began.

    He continued: “You must do a lot of reading to change Nigeria. You must also go beyond classroom exercise to personal development. You can be the best in your class now; but that does not mean you will be more successful in the outside world.  Life is not only about education but how you apply the knowledge acquired, and that is what distinguishes you.

    “Some people say life is about luck, but I say life is not by luck alone but ability to identify opportunities and go after them.

    “We can grab opportunities by being able to organise ourselves, discover our God-given endowments, and struggle to thrive even in the midst of nothing.

    “As youths, you keep complaining about situations in Nigeria without challenging the leadership. You need to engage those in position of leadership and use our voting rights to eject any leadership that does not take your future into account.”

    “Since by then you would have achieved substantially which would help you leave good legacies for your children,” he said.

    The event also featured a panel discussion moderated by the National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of AOCOED Alumni Association Comrade Eniola Opeyemi. Other discussants include: Students representative National Association of Nigerian Students (NAN’S) Joint Action Committee Samson Adewale, a civil servant Mr Abraham Daniel, as well as Obanikoro.

    Earlier, AOCOED Students’ Union Presidennt, Comrade Isiaq Lukman Oladele, said the event was to commemorate the 40th anniversary  of the union, adding it was meant to inspire the students through an achiever to take their destiny in their hands.

  • I’m a full-blooded LAGOSIAN –Obanikoro

    Former Minister of State for Defence ,Senator Musiliu Obanikoro is a household name in Lagos and Nigerian politics. In this interview with INNOCENT DURU, he talks about Nigerian politics, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his quest to represent Lagos West Senatorial District at the National Assembly. Excerpts:

    The news is everywhere that you are aspiring to represent Lagos West in the Senate. Can you confirm this?

    I am running and it is important that I do this. I am not contesting out of desperation, rather for the preservation of our heritage. I am not desperate because I believe power belongs to God. In addition, I am running because I believe having served at various levels and increased in stature by the grace of God, I can do more in the service of Lagos. Do you think you can win with the direct primary which the party just introduced? Let me start by informing you that it has always been in the party’s constitution, but the activation was however championed by Asiwaju, strongly supported by the President and the new Chairman. We must thank the trio for returning the party to the people. This will give hope to the hopeless, ensure respect and pride of place for all. Do you have the consent of the national leader, Senator Bola Tinubu? Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the father of us all and politically, we are all under his umbrella. So, when your children are contesting for your attention, you try to be as fair as possible. Even if you prefer one to the other, you cannot show it. He is a father and we have to respect him for that.

    He is our benefactor. He is responsible for what most of us are today by the grace of God. We have to respect and honour him at all times. During your first stint in 2003, you represented Lagos Central. Why Lagos West now? Well, firstly, do not forget that Obanikoro is originally from Lagos West. It is actually my ancestral home. Obanikoro is originally from Ojo Local Government and our forefathers created and named Idoluwo in Lagos Island after Idoluwo in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State. I am also from Ikare, Oriade LCDA area of Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency. So, that is where my forebears came from and there is a saying in Yoruba that, no matter how sweet a place is, you can never forget your home. Therefore, it is homecoming as far as I am concerned. I am a son of the soil whether it is in Lagos West, Lagos Central or Lagos East; more so, because my wife is from there. From whatever angle you view it, I am connected to the three senatorial districts in Lagos.

    Don’t also forget, Lagos is a cosmopolitan state and if people can come from other states to contest in Lagos, why can’t I, a bonafide Lagosian choose where I want to contest in my own state? As I have said, Lagos West is truly where we came from to settle in Lagos Island. You are sounding so passionate about Lagos, what is your driving force? I wasn’t too young when Lagos was created in 1967, hence there is history to Lagos which a lot of people do not know. Lagos is the bye- product of hard work and resilience of our founding fathers who were hell bent on removing the stigma of ‘no man’s land’. At a point, they were so agitated to have their own state.

    To drive home the urge and the significance of the creation, they were ready to accept just Mainland and Lagos Island to ensure its creation as a state. Leaders like Brigadier General Mobolaji Johnson, Justice Teslim Elias, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, Alhaji Lateef Jakande , Oba Adeyinka oyekan,late Adeniran Ogunsanya, Late TOS Benson, Sen Sikiru Shitta-Bey and host of others, led the struggle for this state to be created and we lived through this struggle and the joy which followed when the battle for the creation was won. Can you highlight some of your legislative achievements during your first term in 2003? We did a lot then and if I want to go on by way of record, I was the first senator from Lagos to demand a special status for Lagos on the floor of the senate although it did not pass. I must also commend the efforts of Senator Remi Tinubu because I followed keenly her efforts in ensuring special status for Lagos which was in tandem with what I tried to achieve as a Senator. I want to commend Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding a lasting solution to the ocean surge at the bar beach.

    I was also responsible for moving a motion that brought the federal government to Lagos to find a lasting solution to the perennial ocean surge. The issue of casualisation of workers which is strongly engaging the attention of the leadership of the labour union was one of such motions proposed as a law when I was in the senate. Engaging workers under this condition to me is slavery. When you employ an individual on casual contract, they have no right to anything and they work for years without any benefits accruing to them. Everybody knows that as we age, the capacity to work reduces; so it is an abuse of their productive years knowing fully well that when these casual workers get to their off peak, they will not have anything to fall back on as gratuity when they are old.

    To me, that is sheer cruelty and wickedness. I tried to ensure that we pass the law at that time to put an end to casualisation, but unfortunately, I think it went as far as second reading. Also, if you look at the national stadium in Abuja, it is to the glory of God and my efforts that there is a velodrome covering the indoor area of the stadium today. There was a very severe thunderstorm which blew it off when I was in the senate. It took two motions on my part to get it restored by Julius Berger. I had to move the motion twice because it didn’t get the desired attention at first. When the contractor however realised that I wasn’t going to back down, they moved in to fix it. I also introduced fuel pump certification bill. The amount of money that the average Nigerian loses to pranks played by fuel station owners is unimaginable and criminal. Most of them have tampered with the pumps with the sole aim of making undeserved/illegal profit on the back of hard working Nigerians and therefore, stealing their hard earned income, thus wrecking untold economic hardships on them.

    This bill would have eliminated that. The idea behind it was to make it a law to rectify these pumps every six months, but unfortunately, that also got to second reading before the end of our tenure. We did quite a lot and we achieved a lot in terms of motions and bills that we put in place. We were able to pass couple of bills but they did not have direct bearing on Lagos; but they did particularly for Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Being a grassroot politician that you are, have you thought of involving the youths and women folks in your campaigns and programmes? For me, that is automatic. You cannot have effective politicking without involving women and youths. In fact, what I achieved as a young man struggling to be known politically, is far more than what I am doing presently.

    I believe that the youths of today are the leaders of tomorrow, and so the earlier we engaged them, the better for the society. Any leader without succession plan must be a fool. So, training and mentoring them is part of the succession plan, because it is natural that you will quit the stage at some point and you want to be sure that the people who will succeed you, have the required capacity to also pass on to the generation that is coming after them, a better society than the one they inherited. I also believe in the engagement of all stakeholders; the spirit of the more the merrier is at play here. Bringing every segment of the society together is always a winning idea. Sidelining or marginalizing any segment of the society for the other is always detrimental to the good of the society and no leader does that and succeed. What should the people of Lagos West Constituency expect from you? The Lagos West is the most populated senatorial district in Nigeria, and apart from the fact that Lagos itself deserves special attention; we must begin to challenge our society to the reality of paying more attention to where the population is.

    If you look at civilized societies, they pay more attention to where they have large population, because if you do not take care of your people, they will resort to self-help and self-help can come in different shapes and forms. It can come in a positive or a negative form; but where people are neglected, most often times we have self-help coming in the negative form. So, this is why government needs to invest more where our population is concentrated and there is no better place to jumpstart that kind of thinking, than Lagos West. We must come up with programmes that can engage the people and there are so many such programmes that we have thought of and we intend to work with other senators to ensure the programmes are initiated and passed into laws. With the rate of defection that is hitting the APC to PDP, do you think the APC is still on the winning side? Politics is dynamic and it is not static. If you look at the issue of Nigeria from the beginning of our experience as a nation from the first republic, we had this too, but people must be given the opportunity to learn and evolve. The best way to grow is to learn from experience which is your own personal experience and the experiences of others. To be honest with you, I have not seen anything extraordinary in what is happening in Nigeria. It has happened elsewhere and overtime, they were able to overcome it.

    In India, it was worse than this at some point, but because there was no military intervention they have perfected their democracy to the point that their democracy is now stable and elections have become routine. I believe at some point all these activities that we are seeing will be injurious to all the actors and they would be compelled to find necessary solutions to it. Necessity they say is the mother of invention, but if you do not allow these things to happen, it will blow in your face at some point. Allow it to play itself out, because anything that has a beginning must surely have an end. When it is going to end, I may not be able to tell you, but I can tell you that this experience will be a guide and a lesson to the generation that is coming after us. There is a challenge to every generation and if we cannot perfect it, those who are coming after us would; maybe that would be their challenge, to stabilise the democratic experience. I can say to a reasonable extent, that my generation was part of the generation that brought this democracy we are experiencing today.

    We were not the leaders at that time, but followers of those who made this possible and now we are at the center of the game, but we are also going to step aside at some point and another generation will take over. So, a generation fought for the independence of Nigeria, but unfortunately, we had a military intervention that messed up the society, but we are now back to a democratic rule. One thing most Nigerians do not know when they say white people do not practise “do or die” politics is that, they do not need “do or die” politics in the western world because they have perfected a means of taking care of everybody. If you are in the senate today and you are no longer a senator, there are opportunities waiting for you automatically to tap into, but we do not have that in Nigeria. Those are the kind of things that once we perfect them, desperation goes away, winning at all cost goes away, this would

  • Fayose, Obanikoro, Omisore lose N2.273b assets

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered property and cash worth N2.273 billion from Governor Ayodele Fayose, ex-Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore and a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, out of the N4.685 billion allocated to them by the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    The said cash, which was sourced from the $2.1 billion voted for arms procurement, was meant for the 2014 governorship campaign by Fayose and Omisore on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The trial of Omisore by EFCC is expected to begin any moment from now because charges have been preferred and filed against him.

    The EFCC is awaiting a date from the court for the arraignment of Omisore, who might be re-arrested.

    But the prosecution of Fayose is withheld till after the completion of his tenure and immediately he hands over to the next governor of the state.

    But Obanikoro, who was allegedly the courier of the fund to Fayose and Omisore, was still being investigated by detectives following more cases he was allegedly linked with.

    A fact-sheet obtained from the EFCC revealed that out of the N4.685 billion, detectives traced N2.0030 billion to Omisore; N685 million to Obanikoro and N1.3 billion and $5.377 million (at the exchange rate of N168 to $1) to Fayose.

    The document said: “The N4.685 billion was disbursed by ONSA through a company, Sylvan McNamara Limited, which was submitted by Obanikoro for onward transfer to Fayose and Omisore for their gubernatorial election in 2014 on the platform of the PDP.

    “Out of the sum, Omisore got N1.7 billion and additional N330 million was given to him through his company, Fimex Guilt Limited, bringing his campaign slush cash to N2.0030 billion.

    “From his share, Omisore has paid back N350 million. Although he pleaded for more time, EFCC is expecting the balance from him.”

    The fact-sheet stated that charges have been preferred against Omisore.

    The document gave the details of how arms cash was allocated to Fayose and the retention of N685 million by Obanikoro.

    It said: On his part, Fayose was allocated N1.3 billion and $5.377 million (at the exchange rate of N168. The $5,377,000 was handed over in cash by Obanikoro to Fayose while the N1.3 billion was received by Fayose’s associate, Mr. Abiodun Agbele, in the presence of the ex-Minister’s Aide-de-Camp, who also accompanied them to the bank along with bank officials.

    “From the $5 million, Fayose gave his Personal Assistant, Agbele about $1million, which he exchanged to Naira and paid for properties on behalf of the governor. Detectives suspected that Fayose added more of the N1.3 billion cash to what he gave Agbele to buy the affected assets.

    “The properties worth N1.8 billion purchased with the said proceeds of crime have been recovered from Fayose and his sister, Moji Ladeji.

    “These assets include four in Lagos (N1.1 billion) and two in Abuja worth about N500 million to N700 million.

    “But Fayose has been claiming that he used his company, Spotless to obtain a loan of N120 million from Zenith Bank as part of what he used to buy one of the properties in Abuja. We are already tracking how he disbursed the N1.3 billion.

    “A prima facie case has been established against Fayose but he is enjoying immunity from prosecution as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. He will, however, face trial as soon as he hands over power to his successor.

    “But the associate of the governor, Abiodun Agbele, has been charged to court accordingly.”

    Regarding the investigation of Obanikoro, the fact-sheet indicated that “the ex-minister retained N685 million out of the N4.685 billion given to him by ONSA.

    “A sum of N123 million has been recovered from Obanikoro, who claimed he was only asked to deliver the cash to both Fayose and Omisore for their gubernatorial campaign.

    “The ex-minister is still under investigation following some cases allegedly still linked with him.”

     

    •Judges nullify victory at high court

    THE Court of Appeal yesterday ordered two accounts of Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose domiciled with the Zenith Bank to be frozen.

    The court gave the order having been convinced by the argument of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that they were used to keep proceeds of crime.

    The three-man panel, led Justice Joseph Shagbaor Ikyegh, allowed the EFCC appeal and upturned the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, which was delivered about one year and four months ago.

    Other members of the panel are Justice Boloukurumo Moses Ugo and Justice Mohammed Mustapha.

    The judgment of the lower court, which unblocked the governor’s two accounts, was delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo on December 13, 2016.

    Fayose withdrew N5 million from one of the accounts immediately and transferred the sum of N75 to his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN).

    Dissatisfied with the Ado-Ekiti Federal High Court’s verdict, the EFCC filed an appeal at the appellate court on three grounds.

    The anti-graft agency contended that the immunity enjoyed by the governor did not preclude his account from being frozen.

    The Appeal Court allowed the appeal and held that Fayose’s accounts, which were unblocked by the Federal High Court, be frozen.

    The court delivered the judgment upon reading the record of the appeal and after hearing EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, Fayose’s counsel, Mike Ozekhome and Zenith Bank’s counsel, Mr. Oluwasegun Ayinde.

    Justice Ikyegh ordered “that the appeal is meritorious and, having resolved all three issues agitated in the appeal in appellant’s (EFCC’s) favour.

    “That the appeal is hereby allowed; that the judgment delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Ekiti Judicial Division, on the 13th day of December, 2016, granting the claims of the 1st respondent in Suit No: FHC/AD/CS/27/2016 is hereby set aside.”

    The two accounts had earlier been frozen by Justice Mohammed Shuaibu of Federal High Court, Lagos in an ex-parte motion brought by the EFCC.