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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has traced the source of the $40million paid to Mr. Roberts Azibaola, who is former President Goodluck Jonathan's cousin, to a bank in London.
The cash was wired through Citibank N.A. Canada Square Canary in Wharf London E 145 LB into the account of One Plus Holdings Nigeria Limited of Azibaola.
About $6million of the money was paid to a bureau de change in Abuja.
Azibaola, who was yet to make any refund, has been relocated from Lagos to Abuja in preparation for his trial. Charges have been filed against the ex-President's cousin at a Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to a document obtained by The Nation, the $40million came from the account of the Special Services Office of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
"The Special Services Office has a joint account with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and some security agencies, which was managed by ONSA.
"The $40million was wired into the account of Azibaola's company through Citibank N. A. Canada Square Canary in Wharf London E 145 LB.
"The money was transferred to One Plus Holdings Nigeria Limited with Robert Azibaola and Stella Azibaola as directors. All disbursements went to individuals and companies including two foreign firms and the wife of the ex-President's cousin. About $5.5m has been allegedly transferred to Mrs. Azibaola.
"The $40million was in respect of a contract for the supply of Tactical Communication Kits for Special Forces.No records of contract executed.
"We wrote to the Office of the SGF and the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office (PSSO) said: "The SGF office is not in possession of any document or evidence of contract.
"Even the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) said it had no records of the contract but it only made available payment advice to transfer the funds to the Azibaola's account.
A source close to the investigation said: "We have to release the outcome of investigations to show that the EFCC is not engaging in any witch-hunt against the cousin of the ex-President.
"Although the contract was for the supply of Tactical Communication kits, when we interrogated the cousin of the ex-President, he said 'they had a discussion with the ex-NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), to secure pipelines in the Niger Delta but there is no evidence to show for it.
"If there was any contract, how come $6million was remitted into the account of a bureau de change? None of the suspects was able to explain the reason for this."
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