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Former Defense Minister Obanikoro Released On Bail After refunding N100m

November 4, 2016

Former Minister of State for Defense, Musiliu Obanikoro has been released from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after the anti-corruption agency verified that he had fulfilled an "Administrative bail" condition requiring that he deposits N100million to the "Federal Recovery Account." EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren confirmed to Saharareporters that Mr. Obanikoro was granted "Administrative Bail" on Friday. The former minister has since retired to his Abua home where family members claimed he was resting "resting."

 Mr. Obanikoro surrendered to the EFCC three weeks ago on his return to Nigeria and had since been in detention as he failed on several occasions to make the necessary refund that was a precondition for his release.

[story_link header="Ekitigate" align="left"]37598[/story_link]Obanikoro had admitted to the EFCC that he embezzled N800m from about N4.7 billion stolen in 2014 from a budget designated for procurement of weaponry and other equipment for the Nigerian military to enhance its fight against Islamist militant group, Boko Haram.The funds were laundered through a bank account controlled by his two sons, Babajide and Gbolahan before they were physically ferried to Ekiti state where the funds were deployed to assist Governor Ayodele Fayose in rigging the governorship election in Ekiti State.

SaharaReporters investigations revealing an audio tape detailing how men of the Nigerian Army discussed in detail how to rig the election by clamping down on opposition figures in the state led to the initial investigation about the massive corruption involving Mr. Obanikoro and others.

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Corruption