Fani-Kayode, Falae, Udenwa, Nenadi, Onwuliri named in alleged N3.145billion fraud

Investigators at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, said Monday they have uncovered evidence showing how prominent politicians, mostly from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, allegedly shared N3.145billion in the build up to the last presidential election.

Named in the alleged bazaar are a former aviation minister and director of media for the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign organization, Femi Fani-kayode; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and leader of the Social Democratic Party, Olu Falae; a former finance minister, Nenadi Usman; a former Imo state governor, Achike Udenwa; former minister of state for foreign affairs, Viola Onwuliri and politician Okey Ezenwa

A source at the anti-graft agency, who pleaded not to be named because he was not authorized to speak on the matter, told Premium Times the money was paid by the Central Bank Nigeria into the account of the Ministry of External Affairs’ Library, from where it was moved into the account of a private firm, Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited.

“It was from the Joint Dimension’s account with Zenith Bank that the money was shared to various individuals and organizations for purposes that are not stated,” the source said.

The sources described Mr. Fani-Kayode as the chief beneficiary of the disbursement, allegedly receiving a whooping N840million, paid in three tranches into his Zenith Bank, Maitama branch, with number 1004735721.

The sources disclosed that detectives are working to determine the real motive for the distribution of the funds.

“But as things stand, the fact that most of the payments were made in the weeks preceding the last presidential elections leaves very little to the imagination,” an investigator said.

When contacted by Premium Times, Mr. Fani-Kayode said the funds were paid into his account by Nenadi Usman, who was the director of finance of the Goodluck Jonathan campaign.

“The campaign asked me to open an account for my campaign directorate, which I did,” Mr. Fani-Kayode said. “They then paid the money in for the assignment I was given. I asked them where the money came from. They said it was private contribution for the Jonathan campaign. I believed them, and I had no way of knowing exactly where the money came from.

“As far as I’m concerned, it was campaign funds, and the money was used for the purpose for which it was meant. And we accounted for it to the man who gave us a job to do, President Jonathan.”