EFCC quizzes Obaigbena over N670m received from Dasuki

Chairman of Thisday Newspaper, and President of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Nduka Obaigbena, was quizzed for several hours yesterday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over the N670 million he admittedly got from the arms procurement fund.

Obaigbena had reported to the headquarters of the anti-graft agency early morning yesterday to answer questions regarding his role in the episode.

A source within the commission informed The Guardian that Obaigbena was being drilled by operatives of the commission at the time of filing this report. Though he could not give information as to some of the confessions of the media mogul, the source stated that investigation into the money allegedly shared by 12 newspaper proprietors has been under investigation since last week and that some media organisations had already reported to the EFCC to answer questions. “Since last week, some managing directors have been representing their media outfits”, he said.

It would be recalled that Obaigbena, in a letter written to the EFCC last December, had admitted receiving N670 million from Dasuki as compensation for the Boko Haram bombing of Thisday offices in Abuja and Kaduna. According to him, N120 million was given to NPAN from the money for onward sharing among 12 newspaper companies that incurred some loses as a result of solders’ action on their operations during the time.

While some of the media houses (including The Guardian) have denied receiving the money, some of those who admitted receipt have returned it to NPAN.

Investigations into the alleged $2.1 billion arms scandal commenced late 2015, spreading to various quarters. Those that have been indicted include former ministers, former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, and his son, media moguls, former and serving army personnel, and politicians.
Some of the indicted persons have been arraigned before the court while investigation continues at the EFCC.