The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stopped a member of the House of Representatives, Sunday Karimi from going to the United States for refusing to appear before it in connection with ongoing investigation of a N200million given to his company.
The cash was wired into a company with links to Karimi through Sylva Mcnamara, a slush firm used by ex- Minister of Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro.
The former Minister is wanted for questioning over N4.745billion slush funds from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
But Karimi ran into trouble over N200million allegedly given to a company with links to him by a former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Otunba Iyiola Omisore.
Omisore has agreed to refund about N1.310billion traced to his account and three firms linked to him.
According to findings, Karimi was stopped at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport while trying to board Air France flight to the US.
EFCC had watch-listed him and other security agencies collaborated by stopping him.
โAs we are talking, his passport has been seized by the Department of State Security Service until he is cleared by the EFCC,โ a source said.
The Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren said โfollowing the refusal of Karimi to appear before our team for investigation, we watch-listed him and he was stopped from going abroad.
โWe invited him for interaction on a N200million ONSA funds traced to a company with links to him but he refused to come.
โHe appeared before our team on Friday, we have asked him to come back on Monday.โ
A media source close to Karimi said: โKarimi was stopped from going abroad on Thursday by the EFCC. He appeared before the EFCC team on Friday.
โBy and large, the issue has been amicably resolved.
โWe are expecting that his passport will be returned to him on Monday.โ
