The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly visited the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library as part of the investigation into the laundered 150 million euros cash-for-poll by associates of former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar.
According to The Nation, the son-in-law of the former vice president and his lawyer are under investigation by EFCC over €150 million cash-for-poll bribe scandal.
EFCC Operatives reportedly went to Obasanjo’s Library on August 8 to authenticate the claims by one of those under probe that he gave $140,000 (about N50 million) to one of the library officials.
It was learnt that the EFCC officials, accompanied by policemen, combed some offices at the former President’s Library. But it could not be confirmed whether any document was taken away by the operatives as nobody was arrested.
“Our operatives went to the library with some riot policemen in anticipation of a possible resistance. But there was none. We did our job lawfully without any inhibition. We are still investigating the case. We are screening some documents in our possession on the matter, ” an EFCC investigator told The Nation.
The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library was opened on March 4, 2017. It is a historic, tourist and academic centre established as a national archive for the preservation of documents and materials used by the President during his tenure between 1999 and 2007.
Atiku’s son-in-law Abdullahi Babalele is being investigated alongside others for allegedly laundering €150 million. The money was believed to have been spent to influence the 2019 election in which Atiku was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate.
About €67, 950,000 was traced to ex-VP Atiku’s associate Mr Uyi Giwa-Osagie’s account, Babalele’s account, two slush firms and two Bureau de Change operators.
Babalele is expected to account for 41,900,000 euros.
Sources said of the cash credited to Babalele’s account, he gave about N50million ($140,000) to his childhood friend, Bashir Mohammed to deliver to an official at the Presidential Library in Abeokuta. The anti-graft agency is investigating why the money was taken to the Presidential Library.
A document on the preliminary investigation reads:
“That between 05/02/2018 and 27/11/2018 €41,900,000 (forty one million, nine hundred thousand euro) which sums are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, was received by a firm linked to Babalele.
“That on February 20, 2019 Babalele called Bashir Mohammed his childhood friend and informed him that he will transfer N50 million to him which should be converted to United States dollars.
“That Bashir converted the N50 million at the rate of 360 per dollar amounting to about $140,000 “That on the instruction of Babalele, Bashir took the money to Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, and delivered it to an official in cash.
“That the cash delivered is in excess of the amount authorized by the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended.”
It was learnt that Bashir was taken by detectives to the Presidential Library.
Those interrogated including Babalele, Osagie and Mohammed, are on administrative bail pending the filing of a case against them.”
