Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday detained former Finance Minister Nenadi Usman over her alleged role in the withdrawal of billions of naira from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
She was alleged to have operated an account “Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited” where huge sums of money were lodged and subsequently distributed to chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Goodluck Support Group (GSG).
Others who had been named as beneficiaries of the account are : former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Chief Olu Falae; former Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa; former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Viola Onwuliri and Okey Ezenwa.
EFCC sources told the Nation that the commission is planning to arrest all those named in the slush fund.
A source told the newspaper that Usman reported at the Lagos office of the agency and was immediately taken into custody for interrogation.“We may relocate her to Abuja but for now, she has been detained in Lagos.“She was said to have received the sum of N2.5 billion out of the over N4 billion which was transferred out of Central Bank of Nigeria into various individuals and company’s accounts“In addition, the sum of N140 million cash was allegedly paid into her Zenith Bank Account in January 2015.
“Some of these funds are said to have been traced to her personal account and her company’s account which she used to acquire properties in Abuja.”
The details of how the funds were allegedly disbursed are: Fani-Kayode (N840million); Goodluck Support Group (N320million); Achike Udenwa and Viola Onwuliri (N350million); Nenadi Usman (N140million); and Okey Ezenwa (N100million). The source explained further how the funds were disbursed.
“Fani-Kayode was the chief beneficiary of the disbursement as he allegedly received N840million, paid in three tranches into his Zenith Bank, Maitama branch account with No.1004735721.
“The first tranche of payment involving N350million hit the account on February 19, 2015. Another N250milion was also paid into the account on February19, 2015 while N240million was credited to the account a month later; precisely, March 19, 2015.
“The balance on this account as at 31st December, 2015 was N189, 402.72.
“Next is Goodluck Support Group, which allegedly received N320million
“Falae allegedly received N100m through Marreco Limited, a company where he is Chairman. The fund was credited into the company’s United Bank for Africa Plc account No. 1000627022 on March 25, 2014.
“Both Udenwa and Mrs Onwuliri got N350million in two tranches. The first tranche of N150million was paid into their joint account with Zenith Bank on January 13, 2015. The second tranche of N200miilion was credited into their account with Diamond Bank.
“Nenadi Usman got funds through her Zenith Bank account no. 1000158311 on 7, Kachia Road, Kaduna; N36.9million was credited to her. And Okey Ezenwa got N100million.”
Source: The Nation
ENJOY FREE CONTENTS FROM US
IN YOUR EMAIL
Breaking News, Events, Music & More
