The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured a court order to freeze three bank accounts belonging to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.
In a suit filed at the federal high court, Lagos, with suit number; FHC/L/CS/1069/2020, the EFCC sought an ex-parte order to freeze Mr Obasa’s three bank accounts with the Standard Chartered Bank pending the conclusion of an ongoing investigation into the allegations of diversion of funds, abuse of office and money laundering levelled against him.
According to PREMIUM TIMES, the certified true copy of the ruling which was issued on September 15 and was signed by the court’s registrar, Adebimpe Oni.
The account details as contained in the order include a United States Dollar account with number, 001852963; current account (0018552956) and a savings account (5002349821).
In obtaining the ex-parte order, the EFCC said the bank accounts are being investigated for conspiracy, diversion of funds, abuse of office and money laundering.
The anti-graft agency said it filed the matter “Pursuant to section 44 (2) (K) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and section 26, 29, and 34 (1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, and under the inherent jurisdiction of this honourable court.”
The speaker has in the last few months been enmeshed in controversies over allegations of his involvement in contract scandals, money laundering, among others. He has denied the allegations.
KanyiDaily recalls that Mudashiru Obasa was accused of fraudulently approving the sum of N258 million for the printing of invitation cards for the inauguration of lawmakers two months after the event had been held.
The Lagos speaker was also accused of illegally approving the sum of N45 million for one of his mistresses to organise a Christmas party that was never held.
The lawmaker was also accused of misuse of public funds and abuse of office, after reports emerged that he fraudulently collected N5 million from the Lagos state treasury to travel with his mistress to the United States of America.