This might not be the best time for Senator Iyiola Omisore, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Osun state 2014 governorship election, who is battling with the political onslaught on his structures and supporters within the party in the state as he has also joined the list of corrupt politicians already blacklisted by President Muhammadu Buhari's anti-corruption fight.
Just as he was fighting the battle within his party, the two-time senator has been allegedly linked with the ‘one fraud too many arms scam at the office of former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki.
It was gathered that the former Deputy Governor of Osun state has been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to answer question on a N442, 600,000 contract awarded to a firm linked to him.
The letter, signed by Abubakar Madaki on behalf of the acting chairman of EFCC, reads: “The commission is investigating an alleged case in which your name featured prominently. In view of the above, you are requested to interview the undersigned on Monday, April 11,
2016, at No.30, Harper Crescent, Wuse Zone 7, at 10 am. Your cooperation in this regard is solicited.”
According to sources, the contract was awarded to the company by the former NSA, and Omisore was a director of the company when the contract was awarded and N370 million paid.
The sources alleged that part of the N370 million contract fund was deposited into Omisore’s personal account.
EFCC was investigating how the contract was executed, inline with the recommendation of the Presidential Committee on the procurement of arms and ammunition.
The anti-graft agency was acting on the intelligent report that the N442, 600,000 was not executed.
Sources close to the investigation said a company, Fimex Gilt Limited, submitted proposals to Dasuki on combating terrorism and, in particular, the illegal influx of terrorists into the country.
The N442 million proposal centred on: Border protection and Intelligence Services
Programme;Supply of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs); and Provision of training support for non-conventional counter-terrorism methods.
The Managing Director of Fimex Gilt Ltd, Adetona Famadewa, alleged that the company “established a relationship with the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) through a third party, to wit: the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade”.
He said N370 million was paid from the N442 million and the contract was not “renewed due to the change of government”.
Famadewa said N52, 600,000 was outstanding. But after facing a Contract Review Committee, the company was directed to “refund the payment it received from ONSA”.
The company was among 241 referred to the EFCC for investigation, leading to Omisore’s invitation.
The EFCC is probing how part of the N370 million paid to Fimex Gilt Limited was remitted into Omisore’s account.
But Omisore, through his lawyer, Wole Jimi-Bada and Co. wrote the EFCC interview should be rescheduled to April 14.
The counsel said in part: “Your letter dated April 7, 2016, and addressed to our client and
delivered to his security at our client’s residence has been passed on to our chambers.
“We regret to inform you that our client travelled briefly out of Abuja but will return by Wednesday evening accordingly to our instructions. Consequently and unfortunately, he will not be able to attend the interview schedule, as requested in your letter under reference.
“On his behalf, we humbly request that the interview be rescheduled for April 14, 2016, for him to honour your invitation. “We regret any inconvenience this request may cause you.”
EFCC sources said rather than coming for interrogation on the appointed date, Omisore approached the High Court to restrain it from performing its statutory functions.
Omisore in the application asked the court to restrain EFCC from arresting him, saying that there was “imminent danger” that he would be arrested and subjected to inhuman treatment.
In an affidavit deposed to by Detective Nuru Buhari Dalhatu, dated May 6, 2016, the EFCC prayed the court to dismiss Omisore’s application.