The anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating a case of €150 million money laundering allegation against Babalele Abdullahi, a Finance Director of former vice-president Atiku Abubakar’s group of companies, the Commission disclosed Monday. Abdullahi, also Atiku’s son-in-law, was arrested on Saturday by EFCC operatives at his Maitama residence.
Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate at the just concluded presidential election, raised an alarm over the arrest, saying it was a desperate attempt by the government to harass and intimidate him to cower and reconsider his planned challenge of the Feb 23 presidential election results in which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari winner.
EFCC sources told Huhuonline.com that the case was ongoing and that Abdullahi “may be released soon.” The sources said the money, about N61.4 billion came in before the election, but declined to say whether the money was laundered through the financial system, or smuggled into Nigeria in hard cash.
Atiku’s media Aide, Paul Ibe, alleged that the arrest was part of a “desperate move” to make Atiku concede and congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari; something he has so far refused to do. “The EFCC agents numbering about two dozen came in two regular vehicles, an 18-seater Toyota bus (registration Abuja CS 522 RSH) and a Hilux van. They came with a search warrant to search the house and office of Abdullah and found nothing incriminating. They then proceeded to his office at Oakland Centre in Maitama and found nothing incriminating there.
“However, they took away some documents of landed properties. Not done, the EFCC officials stormed his Wuse residence where they again found nothing incriminating after the search. Afterwards, Abdullahi was taken away to the EFCC office in Wuse to make a statement alongside Mr. Lawan Ayuba.”
EFCC Acting Spokesman, Tony Orilade, confirmed to reporters that Abdullahi was in EFCC custody: “Yes, he is with us. We are investigating a case of money laundering against Abdullahi. We shall speak at the appropriate time,” Orilade said.
