afrol News, 1 September - Nigerian police have confiscated US $629,834 raised by the controversial 'Obama for Africa' Campaign, authorities said Sunday.The controversial group, in a widely publicised fund raiser reportedly raised funds to aid campaign of United States Democratic Party presidential candidate, Senator Barrack Obama.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said seizure followed a public outcry against the event, which invited Ms Okereke-Onyuike, top official for campaign for questioning.

"The amount raised sparked widespread public outrage in Africa's top oil producer, where the majority of the people live on less than $2 a day, prompting Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to launch an investigation," read EFCC statement.

Ms Okereke-Onyiuke head of Nigerian Stock Exchange, organised the fundraiser in Lagos on 11 August with a ticket sale at US $21,226 for a table of eight people.

Last month the commission questioned Ms Okereke-Onyiuke over gala dinner, but she denied fund-raising for Obama, saying dinner was "designed to sensitise and mobilise Africans worldwide and other eligible US citizens to register and vote instead of passively watching history being made.

However, organisers of Mr Obama's campaign said it was in no way affiliated with the group and would not accept funds from the organisation. Although the fundraising was not illegal in Nigeria, it is illegal under US law for foreign groups to donate funds to American political parties.

Commission in a statement signed by head of media and publicity, Mr Femi Babafemi, in Abuja, disclosed that, it has taken custody of the money, adding that the Commission is working out modalities to refund money to original donors.

"The EFCC Chairman, Mrs Farida Waziri cautioned Director General of Nigerian Stock Exchange, Ms Okereke-Onyuike during an interaction last week, to steer clear of such activities in future," the statement added.

The Commission also explained that DG was left off hook, because, outcome of investigations however revealed that sale of tickets at the event does not constitute any known offence for her prosecution under Nigerian law.

Many critics had questioned legality of her fundraising for Senator Obama, described as violation of US law, which forbids American politicians from receiving campaign donations from outside the US.

Local reports have indicated that for Ms Okereke-onyuike, it was not the first time such fund has been raised, saying she has also mobilised top Nigerian corporate players to raise campaign funds for former president Olusegun Obasanjo's presidential campaign in 2003.

Nigeria ranks 147 in Transparency International's corruption perceptions index for 2007.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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