Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said they traced more than $88 million to a hidden account controlled by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sterling Bank of Nigeria, Yemi Adeola.
Our EFCC source said the money was transferred to Mr. Adeola from Fidelity Bank of Nigeria whose managing director, Nnamdi Okonkwo, was last week detained by the EFCC. Mr. Okonkwo last was granted bail late yesterday.
One EFCC source said that the $88 million found at Sterling Bank was separate from the $115m given to Fidelity Bank by the ex-oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke. The funds were used to bribe officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rig the 2015 presidential election for ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
Our source disclosed that Mr. Adeola had kept the $88m as an "off-record" transaction.
Mr. Adeola, who was arrested yesterday, remains in the custody of the EFCC.
Meanwhile, EFCC officials told our correspondent that the anti-corruption agency was contemplating charging certain officials of Sterling Bank officials with obstruction of justice. The officials were responsible for shutting down the bank's computers to prevent investigators' access to documents illustrating illegal transactions by the bank.
One EFCC source said that former Governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi, was instrumental in arranging the Jonathan administration's placement of slush funds with Fidelity Bank. The source said investigations are ongoing regarding the extent of the ex-governor's involvement in the money laundering scandal.
Sahara Reporters
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