Investigators at the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission said Monday they had uncovered evidence
showing how prominent politicians, mostly from the
opposition Peoples Democratic Party, allegedly shared
N3.145billion in the build up to the 2015 presidential
election.
Named in the alleged bazaar are a former aviation minister
and director of media for the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign
organization, Femi Fani-kayode; former Secretary to the
Government of the Federation and leader of the Social
Democratic Party, Olu Falae; a former finance minister,
Nenadi Usman; a former Imo state governor, Achike
Udenwa; former minister of state for foreign affairs, Viola
Onwuliri and politician Okey Ezenwa
A source at the anti-graft agency, who pleaded not to be
named because he was not authorized to speak on the
matter, told PREMIUM TIMES the money was paid by the
Central Bank Nigeria into the account of the Ministry of
External Affairs’ Library, from where it was moved into the
account of a private firm, Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria
Limited.
“It was from the Joint Dimension’s account with Zenith
Bank that the money was shared to various individuals and
organizations for purposes that are not stated,” the source
said.
The source described Mr. Fani-Kayode as the chief
beneficiary of the disbursement, allegedly receiving a
N840million, paid in three tranches into his Zenith Bank,
Maitama branch, with number 1004735721.
The first tranche of payment involving N350million
reportedly hit the account on February 19, 2015.
Fani kayode discharged Achike Udenwa nenadi-usman
Viola Onwuliri Olu Falae
Another N250milion was also said to have been paid into
the account on February 19, 2015 while N240million moved
into the account a month later, precisely on March 19,
2015.
The source disclosed that the balance on this account as
at December 31, 2015 was N189, 402.72.
Next to Mr. Fani-Kayode in the pecking order of alleged
beneficiaries was Goodluck Support Group which allegedly
received N320million. The group was headed by Rufai
Alkali, a professor and then special adviser on political
matters to Mr. Jonathan
Mr Falae, investigators said, received N100m through
Marreco Limited, a company which board he chairs.
The fund was credited into the company’s United Bank for
Africa Plc account No. 1000627022 on March 25, 2014.
Both former Governor Udenwa and ex-Minister Onwuliri got
N350million in two tranches. The first tranche of
N150million was paid into their joint account with Zenith
bank on January 13, 2015.
The second tranche of N200miilion was paid into their
account with Diamond bank.
Nenadi Usman allegedly received N36.9million through her
Zenith Bank account no. 1000158311. Her branch of Zenith
Bank is located at 7 Kachia Road, Kaduna, investigators
said.
The coordinator of the Jonathan/ Sambo 2015 presidential
campaign in Anambra state, Okey Ezenwa, is said to have
received N100million.
The sources disclosed that detectives were working to
determine the real motive for the distribution of the funds.
“But as things stand, the fact that most of the payments
were made in the weeks preceding the last presidential
election leaves very little to the imagination,” an
investigator said.
When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Fani-Kayode said
the funds were paid into his account by Nenadi Usman,
who was director of finance of the Goodluck Jonathan
campaign.
“The campaign asked me to open an account for my
campaign directorate, which I did,” Mr. Fani-Kayode said.
“They then paid the money in for the assignment I was
given. I asked them where the money came from. They
said it was from private contribution for the Jonathan
campaign. I believed them, and I had no way of knowing
exactly where the money came from.
“As far as I’m concerned, it was campaign funds, and the
money was used for the purpose for which it was meant.
And we accounted for it to the man who gave us a job to
do, President Jonathan.”
Mrs Usman could not be reached for comments. Her
telephone was switched off the several times our reporter
called.
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