The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arrested the Imo State Commissioner for Finance, Deacon Okafor Chike John and Accountant-General (AG), Eche Ezenna George, for alleged mismanagement of funds amounting to N40billion.
The arrest of the two men was said to be in connection with the ongoing probe of allegations against Governor Rochas Okorocha.
The grilling of the commissioner and AG is not connected with the allegations in some petitions against the governor bordering on the mismanagement of N93.5billion.
The allegations in some of the petitions include alleged mismanagement of N13.5billion bond incurred by Okorocha’s predecessor, ex-Governor Ikedi Ohakim and N80billion accruable to the local governments since June 20111.
It was learnt that the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) was one of the organisations that petitioned the EFCC.
It was gathered that the sacked chairmen of the 27 local governments also alleged that Okorocha’s administration had paralysed the third tier of government in the state.
The EFCC yesterday began the grilling of the two government officials on the alleged suspicious N40billion loan obtained from Zenith Bank Plc.
A source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “We arrested the two officials over the alleged diversion of over N40billion loan obtained from Zenith Bank Plc. We want to know what the loan was meant for and how it was spent.
“So far, we have had about six hours’ interaction with the affected officials. More people might be invited since they do not enjoy immunity.”
On some petitions alluding to the alleged N93.5billion fraud, the source said the anti-graft agency is already looking into the issues raised against the governor.
The source added: “Those who wrote the petitions substantiated the allegations with evidence and documents.
“We conducted preliminary findings and retrieved records of statutory allocations to the state from the relevant agencies to confirm remittances.
“This is why we have started interaction with state officials on the veracity or otherwise of these allegations. We cannot invite the governor because he has immunity under the 1999 Constitution, unless he volunteers to submit himself for investigation.”
The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “It is true that we have arrested the officials and they are being interrogated in Abuja.
“I don’t have the details of the allegations against them.”
A former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Gbinijie Obukowho Napoleon, has been declared wanted by the EFCC.
According to a statement by Mr. Uwujaren, the ex-lawmaker is wanted in connection with alleged N281.2million fraud.
The statement said: “The former lawmaker, who represented Uvwie, Sapele and Okpe Federal Constituency of Delta State in the National Assembly between 2003 and 2007, is wanted for offences bordering on breach of trust and illegal diversion of funds to the tune of N281, 280,000.00.
“The suspect repeatedly failed to respond to invitations by the anti- graft agency, and has gone under ground to evade arrest.
“The 46-year-old suspect is light in complexion and speaks Urhobo and English languages fluently. His last known address was: Plot 1, Ogumbo Road, Olonkonla Close, near Aja, Lagos (residential) and 23A, Otunba Adeleke Adeshina Street, Lekki Phase 11, Victoria Island, Lagos (business).
“The commission implores any one having useful information about the whereabouts of the suspect to notify its offices in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Lagos, Kano and Enugu or report at the nearest police station.”
