The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday said a Kogi lawmaker who was blocked from departing Abuja International Airport last week, has been given back his passport.
Sunday Karimi’s travelling documents were confiscated on August 11 after he was stopped by the State Security Service at the Abuja International Airport as he prepared to board a flight to the United States after his name was flagged in financial crimes watch-list.
The bewildered lawmaker swiftly condemned the development, saying his fundamental rights were breached because he had “absolutely no prior notice” he was being sought by authorities.
On August 13, Mr. Karimi reported at the EFCC headquarters where he was grilled by operatives over a N200 million deal involving a company linked to him, EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, told PREMIUM TIMES.
“After he was blocked at the airport, he presented himself to the investigating team to explain the transaction,” Mr. Uwujaren said. “After that, the passport was released to him.”
“They were satisfied with the explanations he gave which was why he was given his documents,” the EFCC said.
Mr. Karimi confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that he was in possession of his passport, adding that he had since departed for the United States.
Meanwhile, Atlantic Drilling Fluids Services Limited, where Mr. Karimi maintained interest, has clarified its role in the controversy, saying the N200million paid to it was for services it rendered.
In a letter to PREMIUM TIMES, the firm said it was contracted by the Osun PDP governorship candidate in the 2014 gubernatorial elections, Iyiola Omisore, to supply rice to his campaign.
“The Company supplied each 5kg bag of rice at N1, 116. 00 (one thousand one hundred and six naira) each, totaling N201,000,000.00 (Two Hundred and One Million Naira only) to Senator Iyiola Omisore’s campaign management team in Osun State,” Dupe Adejana, the company’s secretary, said in the letter dated August 16, 2016.
“The 30 trailer loads of Specially branded/bagged 5 kg Thailand rice were supplied as instructed within three (3) weeks and Senator Iyiola Omisore paid N 200,000,000.00 (Two Hundred Million Naira) to Atlantic Drilling Fluids Services Limited in three
instalments from two different company’s accounts,” Mr. Adejana said.
WATCH: Governor Yahaya Bello's Roadmap to Hope 2023
Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility
Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.
TEXT AD: Why women cheat: what every Nigerian man should know
