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musiliu-obanikoro

Former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, has allegedly refunded the sum of N100m to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Obanikoro, however, is still being detained as at Friday night.

A source at the EFCC told Punch that the former minister paid the money “as a major condition for his bail”.

Obanikoro had disclosed how he gave Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, part of the N4.745billion wired to a company linked to him by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The said cash was wired into the company, Sylva Mcnamara within seven months in 2014.

He also revealed that he gave former Osun State Deputy Governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore, N1.7 billion out of the N4.7 billion he got from ‎Dasuki.

The refund, however, does not preclude the ex-Minister from trial depending on the weight of evidence and the disposition of the anti-graft agency.

It was learnt that a prima facie case has been established “beyond reasonable doubt” against Obanikoro.

A top source in the EFCC, who spoke in confidence, said: “After many days of foot-dragging, the ex-Minister has paid back N100.4million out of about N785million allegedly collected from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) by Sylvan McNamara Limited, a company which was allegedly linked to him.

“I think we may grant him bail to give him time to look for the balance of the cash. We are trying to verify the government account he paid into and we want to confirm the payment.

We may release him any moment from now after the confirmation.

“This, however, does not mean that we are dropping any charges against him. Our objective is first of all to recover the illegal funds. The decision on his trial will depend on the review of his case and the extent to which he is liable.

“You know the ex-Minister has admitted flying over N1.299billion to Akure in two shuttles for Governor Ayodele Fayose. The cash was collected by Fayose’s associate, Abiodun Agbele, who is currently on trial.

“Obanikoro also confessed that he personally gave $5.377m (N60m then) cash to Fayose.

He admitted on oath that he was used to siphon public funds meant for arms purchase.

These are all criminal offences which are punishable by the nation’s laws.

“The testimonies of Obanikoro will hasten his trial and ongoing prosecution of all the suspects implicated in the arms cash.”

On Governor Fayose, the source added: “The governor is just grandstanding because of the immunity he enjoys. He personally admitted collecting money from Zenith Bank as a campaign gift.

His associate, Agbele, reeled out how houses were bought from the N1.299billion brought by Obanikoro. And the ex-Minister has finally nailed him with his statement on oath.

“Fayose has a date with the court. It is just a matter of time. In two years, he will be in the dock to account for the contracts he executed in the ONSA to have earned such slush funds.”

The EFCC had discovered that Sylvan Mcnamara Limited, allegedly owned by Obanikoro and his sons, was used to launder the N4.745billion.

Obanikoro told crack detectives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that N3.880billion was allocated to Governor Ayodele Fayose and Senator Iyiola Omisore out of the said cash.

He also said he handed over $5.377m (N60m then) cash to Fayose at Spotless Hotel, Ado-Ekiti in the presence of the former Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Dr. Tope Aluko, and other party stalwarts.

He said the balance of N785million was expended on alleged anti-Boko Haram campaign in Lagos and the South-West by Sylvan Mcnamara.

Obanikoro, returned to the country two weeks ago.

In July, operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, stormed the Ikoyi residence of Obanikoro, and picked up his wife, Alhaja Moroofat Omolola.

BIG STORY

Obasa Redeems N100,000 Cash Promise To 500 Secondary School Students

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For 500 students from public schools across Lagos’ six education districts, Christmas arrived early. During events marking his birthday in November, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, promised a cash gift of ₦100,000 to each student who attended to celebrate with him, sparking waves of excitement among them. Speaker Obasa has redeemed his promise, giving the students a December to remember.

Dr. (Mrs.) Sherifat Abiodun Adedoyin, a member of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), announced the redemption of the cash gift. “Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has graciously redeemed his promise of ₦100,000 each for 500 students across Lagos State. This generous commitment was made during his recent birthday celebration on November 11, 2025, and it truly highlights his steadfast dedication to enhancing education and the well-being of children in Lagos State.”

Adedoyin stated further, “We deeply appreciate this wonderful gesture, which will significantly help meet the educational needs of the students and promote academic excellence. May this act of kindness continue to inspire hope and create a positive impact in our community.”

The ₦50 Million Educational Support, according to the Speaker, is an investment in the future of the public secondary school students, representing invaluable opportunities for education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship.

Indeed, at the pre-birthday event, themed “The Youth: Striving to Greater Heights,” which brought together students from across the state, Speaker Obasa’s empowerment initiative turned a personal milestone into a defining moment for youth development in the state.

He also seized the opportunity to inspire and challenge the youth, reminding them that challenges harbour lots of opportunities and that it takes laser-like focus, perseverance, and a steadfast faith in God to pull through.

“This personal journey is not just my story; it is a message to every young person here and those watching across various platforms. It is a wake-up call- a call to rise, to believe in yourself, and pursue your dreams with passion and determination.

“The sky is not the limit; it is only the beginning when you choose to unlock your potential and embrace the opportunities that abound in our great nation.”

Speaker Obasa capped the day with the announcement of a structured mentorship program to pair young talents with seasoned professionals, which he described as a pathway to sustained growth and impact. “This isn’t just inspiration, it’s a pathway to greatness,” he affirmed.

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BIG STORY

Peter Obi Is A ‘Character-In-Chief’, I Know The Junction Where Madman Who Advised Him Stayed In Anambra —- Bwala

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Daniel Bwala, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on policy communication, has mocked Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, describing him as a “character-in-chief”.

Speaking in an interview on The Clarity Zone Podcast anchored by Chinedu Emmanuel, popularly known as Nedu, Bwala said Obi was engaging in theatrics.

He was responding to a claim that the former governor of Anambra described him as a ‘character’.

“In the movie, the actor is a character. He is actually the character-in-chief, because what he’s playing is what we call theatrics,” Bwala said.

“You are demonstrating a fictitious picture of a reality that will never exist. I think that is the hope he sold to his people.

“So, after the election, when they saw reality dawn, and he lost the election, they couldn’t manage the picture of the fantasy that was painted in their mind, and they ran berserk.”

“They are all over the media now… they don’t have a particular platform where they stay. They migrate and abuse people. And that is because leadership is not easy.

“Leadership is a sacrifice. All these politicians you see, from President Bola Tinubu, and some other politicians who are not up to him, do a lot of sacrifice to build a base; a base that can resonate with them.”

Bwala also responded to Obi’s claim that he has never been to Anambra, saying he could even describe the road leading to the former LP presidential candidate’s house in the state.

The presidential aide further joked that he knew where the mentally unstable man, whom Obi said gave him advice while he was governor of the state, stayed.

Bwala’s remarks followed a statement Obi made in the build-up to the 2023 elections, in which he recounted how a piece of advice from a mentally unstable man helped him resolve a major security challenge during his tenure as governor of Anambra.

“And he also said, I have never been to Anambra; I can tell you the road that leads to his house. Peter Obi is from Agulu,” he said.

“From Nnewi, you have Umudim, Nnewichi, Uruagu, and Otolo. I can take you to places in the east. I even know the junction where the madman that used to advise him used to stay, very close to Upper Iweka.

“How can he say I have never been to Anambra?”

 

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BIG STORY

Fubara’s Impeachment Process On Course, Not Suspended —– Rivers Assembly

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The Rivers House of Assembly says the impeachment process against Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, and Ngozi Odu, his deputy, is on course.

On Thursday, the state parliament commenced impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy.

The lawmakers launched the process after Major Jack, Leader of the assembly, read gross misconduct charges against Fubara, signed by 26 members of the house.

On Friday, reports claimed that the Rivers State House of Assembly had suspended the impeachment process against the governor.

Responding to the reports in a statement, Enemi George, chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions, and Complaints, said notices of gross misconduct have been forwarded to Fubara and Odu, noting that lawmakers are awaiting their responses.

George maintained that the process has not been suspended or discontinued, describing the reports as false narratives aimed at misleading the public and causing disaffection.

“We are aware that certain persons and media platforms are at it again to misinform the public, particularly to the effect that the process has been halted or discontinued,” the statement reads.

“Some are trending false narratives to cause disaffection between the House and well-meaning Nigerians. Therefore, with the leave of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule DSSRS.

“I call on all and sundry to disregard their antics, as their actions have already failed. We remain committed to our constitutional duties and will not be dissuaded by cheap blackmail or threats from those who do not have our country’s nascent democracy at heart.

George asked the public to disregard what he described as antics, saying the house would not be deterred by “cheap blackmail or threats” and remains committed to its constitutional duties.

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