A former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ms Jumoke Akinjide has reportedly returned the sum of N10m to the federal government as investigations continue into the infamous N23bn election fraud allegedly perpetrated by officials of the last administration.
According to the Punch, Ms Akinjide was made to return the money by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which has been probing a number of former government officials linked to the election fraud.
A source within the EFCC told newsmen that Akinjide, who was the Oyo State coordinator of the Goodluck Jonathan campaign organisation, and some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, allegedly received N650m during the build-up to the 2015 presidential election. The source said added that Akinjide has been a regular guest at the EFCC office.
“She has been visiting our Lagos office. Recently, she returned N10m to the Federal Government. She is cooperating with us and she is expected to return more money,” he said.
Investigations into the N23bn election fraud began in 2015 shortly after the new administration was sworn in. The money allegedly emanated from the former minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and was disbursed by the then Director of Finance, Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Senator Nenadi Usman, who is now facing trial for money laundering.
The money which was $115m but converted to N23bn, was also said to have been kickbacks from some dubious oil contractors involved in oil theft. A number of banks where the cash was lodged as well as some oil companies have been under the EFCC’s radar since the probe began.
The anti-graft agency recently also detained the chairman of the Oyo state chapter of the PDP, Mr Yinka Taiwo.
The EFCC has so far grilled about 16 former governors and ministers linked in various ways to the N23bn election fraud.
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