A former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Otunba
Iyiola Omisore, has refunded to the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) N100million
of the N1.310 billion public money allegedly traced
to him by the anti-graft agency.
Iyiola Omisore, has refunded to the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) N100million
of the N1.310 billion public money allegedly traced
to him by the anti-graft agency.
He has subsequently been released by the EFCC
from its custody to two members of the National
Assembly who stood as sureties ahead of meeting
his bail conditions.
He is expected return to the anti-graft agency
tomorrow to perfect the bail conditions.
Highly placed EFCC sources said the deal to allow
the ex-Deputy Governor go home since his arrest on
July 10 was on account of his health and promise
to refund about N1.310billion allegedly allocated to
him by the Office of the National Security Adviser
(ONSA) during the Jonathan administration.
The EFCC source said: “The EFCC granted Omisore
bail on compassionate ground to attend to his
health. He was actually in the hospital where he
underwent surgery.
“This is an anti-graft agency under a leadership
committed to respect for human rights. After
undergoing operation and following his pledge to
refund the N1.3billion, the commission granted him
bail.”
The money was traced to his account and three
firms linked to him.
The source said: “Before Omisore was granted bail,
he agreed to refund the N1.310billion and a
repayment schedule was mutually consented to by
the suspect and the EFCC.
“To demonstrate his commitment, he has returned
the N100million to the commission. The cash is
what was left in his frozen account.
“We are hopeful that he will keep to the schedule of
payment of the balance of N1.2billion.”
The source said Omisore could not immediately
meet his bail conditions but was released to two
members of the National Assembly who stood as
sureties for him.
“We have respect for him and these National
Assembly members. Based on this mutual trust, we
granted bail to Omisore.
“The EFCC has asked him to return on Monday to
fulfill other conditions for his bail including getting
two directors in the public service with landed
properties. We hope he will abide by his pledge.”
Omisore was arrested over N4.745 billion allegedly
allocated to him and others by the Office of the
National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Of this amount, about N1.310billion was traced to
Omisore and three companies.
His accomplices include Governor Ayodele Fayose
and ex-Minister of Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro,
who has gone on self-exile in the United States.
According to a report by the EFCC, the funds were
remitted as follows: Fimex Gilt Limited
(N160m)-8/8/2014in UBA; Metropolitan Consortium
(N350m)-9/7/14 in First Bank; Sawanara(N300m)—
1/8/14 in First Bank and Metropolitan Consortium
(N350m)-1/8/14 in First Bank.
A top EFCC source, who spoke in confidence, said:
“Preliminary findings have shown that N1.310billion
out of the N4.745billion from ONSA was remitted
to the three firms and the accounts of these three
companies belong to Omisore.”
