Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode yesterday appeared before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for preliminary grilling on the N2.5billion illegally withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and paid into the accounts of six chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Goodluck Support Group (GSG).
Fani-Kayode got about N840million from the slush funds allegedly used for the 2015 presidential campaign.
He denied any wrongdoing, saying the cash went into the campaign and he accounted for it all.
There were indications last night that he might be subsequently transferred to the Lagos office of the anti-graft agency.
Spotting a blue dress, the ex-Minister of Aviation arrived at the EFCC office at about 9.30am in company of some aides. He was taken into custody for quizzing at the Operation Unit in the Tunde Idiagbon wing of the commission.
All smiles, Fani-Kayode strolled in confidently and interacted freely before being ushered in.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said Fani-Kayode gave information on his antecedents and how he came about the N840million.
“After the preliminary interaction with the suspect, he was given an administrative bail. But he is yet to fulfill the required conditions,” said the source.
Responding to a question, the source added: “I think Fani-Kayode might be transferred subsequently to Lagos to join his colleagues who have been interrogated by our team.
“He was granted an administrative bail but he has not been able to meet the conditions. We are hopeful that he will get the required sureties.”
The N2.5billion was shared as follows: Fani-Kayode (N840million); Goodluck Support Group (N320million); Achike Udenwa and Viola Onwuliri (N350million); Nenadi Usman (N140million); Olu Falae (N100m) and Okey Ezenwa (N100million)
Of the six people implicated in the scandal, three former public office holders have been questioned. They are Mrs Usman, a former Minister of State (Finance), Udenwa, a former governor, and Fani-Kayode.
EFCC detectives allegedly found that the N840million was paid in three tranches into Fani-Kayode’s account.
A source said: “The first tranche of payment involving N350million hit the account on February 19, 2015. Another N250milion was also paid into the account on February19, 2015 while N240million was similarly credited to the account a month later; precisely, March 19, 2015.
“The balance on this account as at 31st December, 2015 was N189, 402.72.
“The Goodluck Support Group allegedly received N320million
“Similarly, Chief Olu Falae, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, allegedly received N100m through Marreco Limited, a company where he is Chairman. The fund was credited into the company’s United Bank for Africa Plc account No. 1000627022 on March 25, 2014.
“Both Achike Udenwa and Viola 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 credited into their account with Diamond Bank.
“Okey Ezenwa got N100million.”
Fani-Kayode’s account remains frozen by the EFCC.
Source : The Nation
