Former NIA DG, Oke, returns as EFCC resolves case surrounding cash found in Ikoyi luxury flat

Former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayodele Oke, has returned to the country, according to a report by THEWILL

Her return was consequent upon the resolution by both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) of the matter surrounding the millions of dollars found inside an Ikoyi luxury apartment used as a safe house by the intelligence in April 2017.

The report said that it had been resolved that the cash discovered at the Ikoyi apartment belonged to the NIA and therefore absolved Mr Oke of wrongdoing.

The report quoted a source to have said: “The six-year controversy around the security lodging of $43 million, 27 thousand UK Pounds, and N23 million, belonging to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), at an Osborne Road apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos, has come to an end with the legal resolution to terminate the case.

“Presiding judge of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, Honourable Justice C.J. Aneke, struck out the case on Friday, June 9, 2023, following the decision of the prosecuting team from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the lack of objection from the defence team led by Dr Kayode Ajulo of the Castle of Law Chambers.

“The EFCC withdrawal of the case followed its agreement with the NIA that on national security grounds and the fact that full forfeiture of the money required no further action. In view of this fact, the two bodies agreed to commence the process of withdrawing the case. This position was brought to the attention of former President, Muhammadu Buhari, earlier in 2023, who noted the position, thus paving the way for the termination of the case before the expiration of his administration. This process ended on June 9, 2023.”