Mr. Obanikoro’s associate, Demola Olarewaju, also confirmed the development to PREMIUM TIMES, saying “he has been released and now resting in Abuja”.
The Punch newspaper reported that Mr. Obanikoro was released at about 5p.m.Friday. He immediately left for his residence, the paper said.
Mr. Obanikoro was detained on October 17 after returning from the United States to submit himself to the EFCC on fraud allegations.
EFCC sources told PREMIUM TIMES Mr. Obanikoro paid N100 million to the commission out of the over N800 million of public funds he was accused of spending.
The source said the former minister’s passports were confiscated.
But his lawyer, Mr. Onoja told PREMIUM TIMES that the passports would be returned to his client anytime he requests for them.
“Well, we have presented all the guarantors and perfected his bail conditions, so the passports seizure shouldn’t be a big deal,” Mr. Onoja said. “If he intends to travel, he will apply for it and they will return them back to him.”
Mr. Obanikoro was joined in the custody by other officials of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, is still being detained at the headquarters of the anti-graft office, as well as former presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, and a former FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed.
They face various allegations of financial wrongdoing.
PremiumTimes
The Punch newspaper reported that Mr. Obanikoro was released at about 5p.m.Friday. He immediately left for his residence, the paper said.
Mr. Obanikoro was detained on October 17 after returning from the United States to submit himself to the EFCC on fraud allegations.
EFCC sources told PREMIUM TIMES Mr. Obanikoro paid N100 million to the commission out of the over N800 million of public funds he was accused of spending.
The source said the former minister’s passports were confiscated.
But his lawyer, Mr. Onoja told PREMIUM TIMES that the passports would be returned to his client anytime he requests for them.
“Well, we have presented all the guarantors and perfected his bail conditions, so the passports seizure shouldn’t be a big deal,” Mr. Onoja said. “If he intends to travel, he will apply for it and they will return them back to him.”
Mr. Obanikoro was joined in the custody by other officials of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, is still being detained at the headquarters of the anti-graft office, as well as former presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, and a former FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed.
They face various allegations of financial wrongdoing.
PremiumTimes
*Hmmm this man chop money sha,I hope he pays the rest of the monies he signed to.....Well done for being truthful 'Koro
Why are they always released when a common man spend years in jail.. This bastard should be serving life imprisonment.
ReplyDeleteAt last.... Friday night 🌃 off for birthday tarry night
ReplyDeleteGood for him.
ReplyDeleteOh really? What a surprise?
ReplyDeleteLike we didn't know they'd release him eventually! *eyes roll*
I hope it doesn't stop here, the remaining money with him and the likes of Fayose and Omisore should be return and if they deserve to be prosecuted they should do that.
ReplyDeleteWe yaff hear.
ReplyDeleteI hope the era of brazen impunity by greedy government officials is gone with the Jonathan administration.
ReplyDeleteA na ekwu maka just one subhead, boko haram weapons fund, ya ari kpaa, imagine mgbe elebara anya na ihe ndi ozor, oga adizi behuge
I hope the era of brazen impunity by greedy government officials is gone with the Jonathan administration.
ReplyDeleteA na ekwu maka just one subhead, boko haram weapons fund, ya ari kpaa, imagine mgbe elebara anya na ihe ndi ozor, oga adinu behuge
Copy copy ugly monkey,so because LIB launched her social networking site, you must also create a referral site for your sorry ass SM. Gosh! You are so insecure and petty, Linda doesn't even know you exist, agaracha copy copy....onye ara...
ReplyDeleteThief! Ole! Barawo! Onye oshi!
ReplyDeleteI vividly recall when Sahara Reporters leaked that Ekiti election-rigging tape and he threatened to file a law suit against them in the US.
Ahahaha. All na wash!
Oga ooo. 100m out of 800m!!! Koro spend money finish and Reuben is there for just 50m and can't even pay back...see levels
ReplyDeleteWhy they always release politician that stole public funds after refunding part of the monies stolen instead of jailing them still amazes me.
ReplyDeleteMaking it seem like political thieves can be let off the hook easily and a common man rot in panti. Well, na Naija na...
Thank God o
ReplyDeleteAbeg all Na politics.
ReplyDelete