€150m Probe: How Obasanjo Library ‘Benefited’ From Atiku’s ‘Laundered Money’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raided Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library over alleged involvement in former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s son-in-law, Babalele Abdullahi, and the 150 million euros cash-for-poll bribe scandal.

YaahooJournalist learned that EFCC investigators to the Library on August 8 to authenticate the claims by one of those under probe that he gave $140,000 (about N50 million) to one of the library officials.

Speaking on the matter, a source in the EFCC said: “Our operatives went to the library with some riot policemen in anticipation of possible resistance. But there was none.“We did our job lawfully without any inhibition. We are still investigating the case. We are screening some documents in our possession on the matter.”

It is, however, unclear whether any document was taken away by the operatives, but nobody was arrested.

YaahooJournalist learned that the said funds are believed to have been spent to influence the 2019 election which Abubakar contested on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The EFCC source said Abubakar’s Son-in-law gave about N50m ($140,000) to his childhood friend, Bashir Mohammed to deliver to an official at the Presidential Library in Abeokuta.

YaahooJournalist understands that EFCC is investigating why the money was taken to the Presidential Library.

“That between 05/02/2018 and 27/11/2018 €41,900,000 (forty-one million, nine hundred thousand euro) which sums are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, was received by a firm linked to Abubakar’s son-in-law.

“That on February 20, 2019, Babalele called Bashir Mohammed his childhood friend and informed him that he will transfer N50million to him which should be converted to United States dollars.

“That Bashir converted the N50 million at the rate of 360 per dollar amounting to about $140,000

“That on the instruction of Babalele, Bashir took the money to Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library and delivered it to an official in cash.

“That the cash delivered is in excess of the amount authorized by the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended.

Reports have it that Bashir has reportedly admitted that he delivered the cash to the Presidential Library.

According to several reports, Bashir was taken by detectives to the Presidential Library.

Those interrogated including Abdullahi, Osagie, and Mohammed, are on administrative bail pending the filing of a case against them, the reports added.