Why we are investigating Atiku’s son-in-law — EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that the commission has commenced investigation into alleged money laundering by the Finance Director of Atiku Abubakar’s group of companies, Alhaji Babalele Abdullahi.

Explaining why Abdullahi was arrested by its operatives in Abuja on Monday, Spokesman of EFCC, Mr. Tony Orilade, noted that there anti-graft agency is investigating a case of money laundering against Abdullahi.

The EFCC however declined to disclose the figure involved in the laundering allegation against Abdullahi.

It was gathered that Atiku’s son-in-law was ‘’taken away’ by security agents on the suspicion that he could use hard currency to unduly influence the outcome of many polls taking place in the country.

Although the EFCC had initially kept mute over the arrest of Abdullahi, the agency on Monday tried to douse rising tension over the detention of the man, admitting that he was in its custody but did not indicate the exact location where the man was being kept.

A source in the commission said: “Yes, he Abdullahi is being investigated over alleged case of money laundering and the sum involved is €150 million.

“Let it be known that investigation into the matter is ongoing and we can confirm that Babalele is in our custody. But he will be released soon,” the source added.

The Daily Times recalls that Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the just-concluded Presidential election, a few days raised an alarm over the arrest of Abdullahi by EFCC operatives, who invaded his residence.

In a statement in Abuja by his Media Aide, Mr Paul Ibe, the former Vice President alleged that in a “desperate move” to make him concede and congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari, EFCC invaded the Maitama residence of Abdullahi.

“The EFCC agents numbering about two dozen came in two regular vehicles, an 18-seater Toyota bus with registration number Abuja CS 522 RSH and a Hilux van.

“They came with a warrant to search the house and office of Abdullahi and found nothing incriminating.

“They then proceeded to his office at Oakland Centre in Maitama and found nothing incriminating there.

“However, they took away some documents of landed property. Not done, the EFCC officials stormed his Wuse residence where they again found nothing incriminating after searching.

“Afterwards, Abdullahi was taken away to the EFCC office in Wuse to make a statement,” Abubakar said.

The anti-graft agency did not however specify how the huge sum was laundered or where it originated and where it terminated.