Gbolahan Obanikoro, son of the
former minister of State for Defense and Foreign Affairs, in this interview,
clears the air on allegations against him in respect of
the N4.75billion received from the embattled former NSA.
How do you respond to the
allegations that you are a director of the company Sylvan McNamara Ltd and
signatory to the Diamond account which allegedly received the sum
of N4.75B from the National Security Adviser?
I am not and was never a director of
this company and neither am I a signatory to its account or any other account
related to the entity. My involvement with this company ended as far back as
2013 before all these incidents and before my father was even appointed as a
Minister, so any dealings that transpired after that is of absolutely no
concern or business of mine. The bank is available to confirm who the
signatories to the account are, and the CAC is also available to confirm who
the directors of the company are. I am positive the authorities if at all they
are investigating this matter will discover this.
The online news platform Sahara
Reporters, reported in story that you bought a home in 2014 as soon as the
funds were transferred to Sylvan McNamara?
What a coincidence right? And this
home according to Sahara also is a hide out. It’s just silly. I bought a home
in the United Kingdom in 2008. I built my home in Nigeria in 2010, and I opted
to buy a town home in the United States in 2014 during which period my wife had
our 3rd child. My focus for almost a decade has always been on business
and the private sector and not politics. I have been working hard and fortunate
to run a successful business. So it is definitely not out of place for me, and
it is most certainly not a crime to buy a house. I’m truly grateful to Almighty
Allah for all he has bestowed on me and my family.
The same online news platform
alleged the funds transferred to the account were used towards the rigging of
the Ekiti State Gubernatorial Elections which the current
governor Ayodele Fayose was victorious. How do you respond?
It seems Sahara Reporters is the
only news platform doing the reporting doesn’t it? Look its
simple, MO and Sahara reporters have their own thing going on. He
sued Sahara reporters both in New York and Nigeria in 2014 and since then I
guess he’s had his axe to grind with him, and they’ve been going back and forth
since then. Their scuffle has been in the public space for a while
now. MO is a politician, and in politics all this is fair game. I’ve
been roped into it as you can see, my brother also, I wonder who’s next?
Unfortunately, at this time in our country, defamatory and libelous reporting
or journalism isn’t restricted and anyone can wake up and say anything without
proof or facts without any severe repercussion. It’s unfortunate, but it’s the
reality and that is what the likes of Sahara are taking advantage of.
According to the daily newspapers,
the EFCC has begun its investigations, and unanimous sources within
link you as signatories to the account?
Like I said earlier, my involvement
with this company seized way back in 2013, and I challenge anyone to come forth
with any evidence contrary to that. But let me say this; Justice is not served
if authorities are taunting any information discovered during the course of
their investigation to achieve a predetermined outcome. I think government must
thread within the confides of the law.
What are your thoughts on the
Presidents anti corruption crusade? I have no problems with it at all. I believe it’s every
Nigerian’s desire for corruption to be eradicated or at least significantly
reduced. Steps have been taking in the past, steps will be taken now, and
further steps will be taken even after
President Buhari’s administration. Policies like the Cash less
system, the BVN etc were all measures taken to tackle this problem
prior to the President. He has now introduced additional measures and gradually
as our institutions grow, the better grip we’ll have on this problem.
Have these revelations impacted you
and your family in any way? Of course! I am a young man with an adorable wife and three
beautiful children, so there is a lot at stake for me. Furthermore, as a young
business man these types of unguarded allegations and press have undesirable
implications on one’s business. But then again, it is not surprising especially
for a family like ours. The Obanikoro name is the envy of many from political
opponents of my father and brother to personal adversaries. But
that’s ok. We are a God fearing Muslim family and a family deeply
united with profound love and admiration for one another. We have individually
and collectively accomplished a lot and as far as I am concerned the best is
yet to come for the Obanikoro’s. Insha Allah
NEWS CREDIT: Linda Ikeji's Blog
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