TheCable

Musiliu Obanikoro, a former minister of defence, has returned to the country, where he is expected to face interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Accused of using his children to secure government contracts without executing them, Obanikoro left the country after Goodluck Jonathan, former president, lost his re-election bid in 2015.

Also, the former minister has been mentioned in the alleged malpractices in the Ekiti state governorship election, which Ayodele Fayose emerged winner of.

Obanikoro has since denied the accusations.

Though his arrival into the country has been confirmed, it is not yet clear exactly when he will appear before the EFCC.

‎When EFCC officials raided his residence in June, Obanikoro said members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were being harassed and they were ready to be martyred if that would bring about good governance.

“The invasion and raid of my residence yesterday by agents of the state is a sad throwback to a tyrannical past that is better forgotten,” he said.

‎”In 16 years of democracy, we thought we had conquered despotism for good in Nigeria but in one year, this government has brought it back. Let me reiterate clearly: I have never received any invitation from EFCC over any issue up till date. This invasion therefore is premature.”

His wife, Moroophat, was interrogated by the Department of State Services (DSS) in July for alleged corruption, but the former minister denied her involvement in any shady deal, and urging the EFCC “to resist from persecuting an innocent woman”.

“For emphasis, the innocent woman has a history of High Blood Pressure and heart-related ailments and as such should not be dragged into their biased and politicised investigations,” he had said.

“We have absolute confidence in the judiciary and we hope to get justice in the course with the proviso that they obey the rule of Law and avoid arbitrariness that we are seeing on daily basis.”