Tag Archives: Col. Dasuki

Obanikoro Makes Shocking Confessions To EFCC, Throws Fayose Under The Bus.

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Former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro has disclosed how he gave Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, part of the N4.745billion made available to him by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

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The said cash was wired into the company, Sylva Mcnamara within seven months in 2014.

Obanikoro, who is still in detention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision, EFCC, said N2.23billion was transferred to Fayose. While $5,377,000 was given to Fayose in cash, N1.3billion was received by the governor’s associate, Mr. Abiodun Agbele.

He admitted that the N1.3billion was flown to Akure airport in two chartered flights for delivery to Agbele.

Obanikoro said he is not the owner of Sylva Mcnamara that was used to transfer the funds to Fayose.

A source told The Nation that “the sum of N2.2billion was transferred to Sylva Mcnamara for onward transfer to Mr. Ayodele Fayose on the instruction of the NSA.

“The sum of N1.3billion cash was brought in a bullion van by Diamond Bank on the instruction of the NSA.

“In addition, the sum of N60million was converted to dollars at the rate of N168 per dollar and altogether the sum of $5,377,000 was handed over in cash by me to Mr. Fayose while the N1.3billion was received by Mr. Fayose’s associate, Mr. Abiodun Agbele in the presence of my Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Lt. Adewale who also accompanied them to the bank along with the bank officials.

“I didn’t interact with the bank officials. I called Fayose before the funds were handed over to Mr. Abiodun Agbele. I spoke to Fayose with my phone at Akure airport.”

Obanikoro said he “took off with the first flight with part of the money while the second flight brought the remaining funds to Akure local airport and I directed that it should be handed over to the same person.”

The source added: “He told us that he is “ not the owner of the company in question but introduced the owner, Mr. Kareem Taiwo to the NSA, Mr. Sambo Dasuki when the threat of Boko Haram became more visible in Lagos.

“He said the government wanted to incorporate local input into the intelligence gathering and prevention of terrorist attack on Lagos and the South-West in general.”

Court Orders Release Of Dasuki’s Former Aide

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An Abuja High Court sitting at Jabi has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Nigerian Army, to forthwith, release Col. Nicholas Ashinze, a former aide to the erstwhile National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), who has been in detention since December 23, 2015. ?

In a judgment on Monday, Justice Yusuf Haliru, directed the respondents to immediately release the applicant on self-recognition, saying his detention for over three months without trial, was “?illegal, wrongful, unlawful and constituted a blatant violation of the fundamental rights of the applicant”.

The court also ordered immediate release of documents and items the anti-graft agency seized from the house of the applicant. Col. Sambo Dasuki ?Justice Haliru blasted both the EFCC and the Army which he said acted as if Nigeria was still under military ?dictatorship.

“The EFCC is a creation of the ?law. The court will not allow it to act as if it is above the law. It is remarkable to note that the motto of the EFCC is that nobody is above the law, yet they are acting as if they are above the law.

“The EFCC Act is not superior to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The respondents in this matter have not behaved as if we are in a civilised society. They have behaved as if we are in a military dictatorship ?where they arrest and release persons at will. ?

“The respondents, I must be bold to say- the EFCC and the Army- have behaved like illiterates”, the Judge added. ? He said the constitution stipulated that any person so detained should be charged to court within reasonable time not exceeding two months from the date of arrest. Justice Haliru stressed that under section 36 of the 1999 constitution, as amended, an accused person is deemed innocent until his guilt is established.

? “Why has the 1st respondent kept the applicant without bringing him to court? Why was the applicant, being a serving military officer who could be easily reached, not granted administrative bail? Or is it that the applicant has been found guilty and already serving his jail term?

? “Nobody should be subjected to the whims and caprices of the EFCC. The essence of the rule of law and constitutional provisions is to ensure a just balance between the ruler and the ruled, between the powerful and the weak.

“Though the EFCC has the responsibility to investigate financial crime, it must however conduct its operations in accordance with the rule of law.

“The court is empowered to guard against i?mproper use of power by any member of the society or agency, EFCC inclusive.?

“The detention of the applicant, for all intent and purposes, is not just unfair but unfortunate”, the court held.

Credit: Vanguard

Court Adjourns Dasuki’s Case To Nov. 23

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A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned the case of retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, till Nov 23.

 

The Judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, who adjourned the case following an oral application from the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mr Taiwo Abidogun.

 

Ademola held that the adjournment would enable the Attorney General of the Federation appear and explain the siege on Dasuki’s Abuja residence.

 

Abidogun, who appeared for the first time on Dasuki’s case, had told the court that the attorney-general and Minister of Justice had just been sworn-in.

 

He told the court that he needed time to study the case and to enable him brief the minister on the matter.

The solicitor-general informed the court that the minister had yet to assume office.

He said that the minister would assume office on Wednesday, Nov. 18 and would be briefed about Dasuki’s case.

He, therefore, urged the court to allow them to appear on Monday.

Dasuki’s Counsel, Mr Joseph Daudu SAN, did not oppose the application.

Col. Dasuki Denies Charges of Illegal Weapons

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Nigeria’s former national security adviser pleaded not guilty to money laundering Monday in connection with $423,000 in U.S. dollars and Nigerian naira seized at his homes.

Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki also denied charges of illegal possession of an arms cache including assault rifles and a submachine gun found when security agents raided two of his homes in July.

At the Federal High Court, Dasuki’s lawyer M.S. Labaran objected to a prosecution request for a secret trial to hide the identity of witnesses. He also asked the court to return Dasuki’s seized passport, saying he needs to travel abroad for medical care. The judge adjourned the case to Wednesday.

Dasuki, 60, was a key adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan and had taken over the role of the Ministry of Defense in procuring weapons. He was called before a Senate committee last year to explain an incident in which South Africa seized $9.3 million in cash flown on a private jet and a $5.7 million bank transfer that South Africa blocked, saying it was intended to illegally purchase arms. Dasuki said the deals were legitimate.

Credit: AP