The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered payment of N1.310billion to three firms linked with a former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Iyiola Omisore.
The cash was part of the N4.74billion which a former Minister of State (Defence), Musiliu Obanikoro hauled to Governor Ayodele Fayose in a chartered plane on June 12, 2014.
The firms are Fimex Gilt Limited, Metropolitan Consortium and Sawanara.
Preliminary findings indicated that the companies’ accounts in which the N1.310billion was paid into allegedly belong to Omisore.
According to a report by the EFCC, the N1.310billion traced to Omisore and the three companies was remitted as follows: Fimex Gilt Limited (N160m) -8/8/2014in UBA; Metropolitan Consortium (N350m)—9/7/14 in First Bank; Sawanara (N300m)—1/8/14 in First Bank and Metropolitan Consortium (N350m)-1/8/14 in First Bank.
A top EFCC source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Preliminary findings have shown that N1.310billion out of the N4.745billion from ONSA was remitted to the three firms and the accounts of these three companies belong to Omisore. This is one of the reasons we have invited the former Deputy Governor but he is yet to show up.
“We have also declared him wanted and we are still looking for him.”
In an affidavit before a court, Omisore once admitted that he had a link with Fimex Gilt Limited as a director.
He said the EFCC was desperate to arrest and humiliate him.
He said although he was a director of the company, he had since resigned.
He said he loaned the company through its MD the “funds required to perform the contract.”
He added: “That upon the company’s receipt of the payment from ONSA for the contract, the MD repaid to me the prior sum I had lent to Fimex Gilt Limited after I had resigned as a director of the company.
“That since resigning as a director of Fimex Gilt Limited, I have no further interests, affiliations or dealings with same and I was in no way involved in the performance of the contract between ONSA and Fimex Gilt Limited.
The anti-graft agency wrote to Omisore on April 7, inviting him for interrogation.
The letter, signed by Abubakar Madaki on behalf of the Acting Chairman of EFCC, reads in part: “The commission is investigating an alleged case in which your name featured prominently.
“In view of the above, you are kindly requested to interview the undersigned on Monday, 11th of April 2016 at No.30, Harper Crescent, Wuse Zone 7 at 10am.
“Your cooperation in this regard is solicited.”
Instead of honouring the invitation, Omisore wrote through one of his lawyers, Wole Jimi-Bada and Co., that the interview should be rescheduled to April 14.
The counsel said: “We regret to inform you that our client travelled briefly out of Abuja but will return by Wednesday evening accordingly to our instructions. Consequently and unfortunately, he will not be able to attend the interview scheduled for Monday, 11th April 2016 as requested in your letter under reference.
The Nation Nigeria
