Detained former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, who had said from his US base that he has done nothing wrong, has returned N100 million to the coffers of Nigerian government.
Sources close to the former minister and others at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed the payment to Premium Times.
However EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu, rejected the offer and asked for more return by the embattled former senator. The EFCC chairman demanded that the former minister sign an undertaking to pay back N600 million within a stipulated time.
But it is understood that Obanikoro turned down the request. He said he has no means of raising such an amount.
“He refused to sign the pledge, saying the money was too much,” an EFCC source said.
Mr. Obanikoro, in any case, continued to cooperate with his interrogators, the source said.
“He had really carried himself very well since he got here, really cooperating with everyone.”
The return of N100million by the former minister was confirmed by EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren. But said the EFCC was still verifying the payments and continuing its investigation.
Mr. Obanikoro, who has been in EFCC’s custody since his arrest on 17 October, is accused of receiving more than N2 billion from incarcerated former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
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