As part of its investigation of the controversial fundraiser organised by a Nigerian group, Africans for Obama 2008, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has moved to verify the actual amount collected by the group.
The leader of the group, who is also the Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Prof. Ndidi Okereke-Onyiuke, was quizzed by the EFCC in Abuja over the fundraiser and released on bail on Thursday night. The fundraiser was described by the organisers as a move to sensitise Nigerians in the US about their interest in the bid of the presidential candidate of the United States Democratic National Convention, Mr. Barack Obama.
Reports had said that over N100 million was raised at the occasion. It was gathered that EFCC operatives were dispatched to Lagos on Thursday with a mandate to scrutinise the organisation�s books as well as its accounts in �about two or three banks.�
A highly placed source told our correspondent in Abuja that although the EFCC had returned Okereke-Onyiuke�s passport, which was earlier confiscated, she had been told that she must obtain permission from the anti-graft agency before travelling out of the country.
The source said that the commission, after the said verification, would also reach out to individuals who donated money for the concert. According to the source, �Investigators have been dispatched to banks where she said that the money was lodged. We have also asked them (investigators) to visit the headquarters of the NSE, with a view to making sure that no stone is left unturned in our determination to know the actual amount that was collected.�
It was gathered that the NSE DG had told her interrogators that the actual amount collected was not up to N100m, as being speculated. She was quoted as saying that the money was a little above N90m.
But the source said that since the commission decided not to rely on the information given by Okereke-Onyiuke, it decided to send its operatives to Lagos for a verification.
The source said, �We want to know the actual amount of money collected for the event. When we know how much was involved, then we will begin the process of recovery. We cannot recover what we don�t know. I can, however, tell you that all the monies will be recovered.�
The EFCC�s Head, Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Babafemi, confirmed the development. He said the commission would make its findings on the matter known to Nigerians as soon as possible.