Musiliu Obanikoro

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Friday released for former Defence Minister, Musiliu Obanikoro after he allegedly deposited the sum of N100 million with the Commission.

A statement issued by the Media Aide to Senator Obanikoro, Jonathan Eze, confirmed the release, expressing delight over the development.

The statement reads: “It delights us to announce that the former Minister of State for Defense, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro has been released from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), this evening.

“We are, however, not resentful but thankful to the Almighty for the gift of life and good health and the process which began from his voluntarily turning himself over to the anti graft agency and his subsequent release.

“We thank all his friends and followers who supported him in prayers and supplication among others. God bless you all.”

EFCC is investigating Obanikoro  involvement in the misappropriation of money allocated to the Office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki for purchase of arms and ammunition to prosecute war against the Boko Haram insurgents.

Obanikoro is accused of paying about N3.88 billion out of the N4.7 billion paid to companies linked to him and his sons from the Office NSA to Governor Ayodele Fayose and former Osun Deputy Governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

Vanguard reports that Fayose and Omisore had agree to refund the amount paid to them from the ONSA funds.

The newspaper quoted a top EFCC official as confirming that Omisore refunded N50 million on Friday in addition to the  N300 million he had earlier refunded out of the amount he allegedly took from Obanikoro.