NEWS: NIGERIA -Arms deal; Anenih writes EFCC on how he shared N260m as ‘Yakassai got N63m’

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BOT) chair Tony Anenih has explained how he disbursed the N260 million paid into his bank account from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) believes the cash came from the allegedly misappropriated $2.1 billion arms funds.
Anenih wrote to the EFCC to state, among others, that he gave N63 million to a group coordinated by a former Special Assistant to former President Shehu Shagari (National Assembly Liaison), Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, for the 2015 presidential election.

Yakassai may be invited for interrogation over the “curious” payment, it was learnt yesterday.

Anenih was said to have told EFCC that he didn’t benefit from the money, but that he only shared it, following instructions.

Also yesterday, EFCC detectives grilled PDP National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh for nine hours over alleged N1.4billion traced to a company in which he has a stake. The cash is believed by the EFCC to be part of the $2.1 billion arms funds.

There were indications that Metuh might be detained by the agency.

According to sources, Metuh was arrested at about 9am at his Abuja home by three operatives.

At about 9.30am, he was taken into the interrogation room where he was confronted with some allegations, including evidence of transactions, for his reaction.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Metuh has been busy in the last nine hours writing a statement on some issues we have isolated for him.

“We have asked him to respond to the payment of N400million into Destra Investment Limited, a company he has high stake in.

“Metuh is also expected to explain some suspicious lodgments into the account of the company by some individuals and a company with link to one of the firms which was involved in arms procurement.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “We are yet to freeze the account of Destra Investment Limited but we will do so.

“Already, the EFCC is collaborating with all relevant banks in this regard. We will invoke the relevant section of the EFCC Act on the account soon.”

The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that Metuh was being interrogated.

The EFCC has started investigating alleged “curious” payment of N63million to a group led by Yakassai for the 2015 elections.

It was learnt that the probe followed a letter to the EFCC by a former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, on how he distributed the N260million paid into his account by the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA).

A highly-placed source in EFCC said: “Chief Tony Anenih has written the EFCC on how he disbursed N260million from ONSA to various groups including a team being coordinated by Tanko Yakassai.

“Anenih specifically indicated in the letter that N63million was given to Yakassai’s group. He mentioned a few others whose identities we will not disclose until our investigation has reached an appreciable stage.

“We will unveil the names of all the beneficiaries of the N260million soon. But we are at a level that we need to invite Yakassai to shed more light on why his group was allocated N63million arms funds.”

The source also added: “Besides the letter, we will invite Anenih to make a Statement on Oath and for interrogation.”

One of the charges against a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki and a former Director of Finance and Administration this office, Shaibu Salisu, was the transfer of N260million to Anenih.

The charge said: “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on or about 28th November 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and in such capacities entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: the sum of N260million being part of the funds in the account of the ONSA with Skye Bank Plc committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property when you transferred same to the bank account of Tony Anenih with First Bank of Nigeria Plc and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.”



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