NEWS
N37bn Fraud: EFCC Arrests Contractor, Probes Four Buhari Ministers
A contractor named James Okwete has been arrested by the EFCC in relation to the ongoing investigation into the alleged laundering of N37bn by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development during the tenure of former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk.
This development aligns with the simultaneous probe of three other ministers who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, regarding corruption estimated at N150bn.
A senior EFCC official informed The Punch that the contractor provided valuable information regarding Umar-Farouk and former directors-general of the ministry.
A source said “It is not only Umar-Farouk we are investigating. Three other former ministers are also under probe. They were allegedly involved in graft to the tune of N150bn.”
investigation reveals that N37.1bn was moved from the Federal Government’s funds and distributed among 38 bank accounts linked to or associated with Okwete, housed in five legacy commercial banks.
It’s reported that there’s a possibility of Umar-Farouk and former directors-general of agencies under the ministry being arrested by the anti-graft commission, based on information disclosed by the contractor so far.
Okwete, currently held at the EFCC Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, has been cooperating with investigators.
The EFCC officials stated that the contractor was indeed arrested four days ago.
The source said, “The contractor, Mr Okwete, who was used in laundering the money had been arrested by the commission.
“He is currently detained in our custody and has been giving investigators more details that have indicted the former Minister, Sadiya and some DGs under the ministry, and they may be brought in anytime soon too.”
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs oversees eight agencies, including the National Social Investment Office, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internationally Displaced Persons.
Umar-Farouq served as the inaugural Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.
Documents obtained by The PUNCH disclosed Okwete’s transactions following the fund reception, including transferring N6,746,034,000 to Bureau De Change Operators, withdrawing N540 million in cash, purchasing luxury cars amounting to N288,348,600, and acquiring luxury properties in Abuja and Enugu State valued at N2,195,115,000.”
Additionally, he is connected to 143 bank accounts across 12 commercial banks, consisting of 134 corporate accounts affiliated with various companies.
In a bold move, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has announced plans to launch a comprehensive inquiry into the governance conducted by his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The announcement came on Monday, following the swearing-in ceremony of Dagogo Israel Iboroma, SAN, as the new Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the state.
Governor Fubara stressed the critical timing of Iboroma’s appointment amidst political tensions and revealed intentions to establish a judicial panel of inquiry to scrutinize governance practices predating his administration.
Fubara said, “So, my brother, Dagogo Iboroma, you are going to be the brand new Attorney-General of our dear State. SSG, give him his letter, he is the Attorney-General.
“Why are we bringing you at this very critical time? We have a lot of issues around us. We believe that you are not going to be the one that when they send service to you, you go and file “nolle prosequi” or you go and file one thing that would kill us here.
“Let me also say this, you have a big task. As it is today in the local parlance, they say the jungle has matured. We will be setting a panel of inquiry to investigate the affair of governance. So, brace up, I am not going back on it.
He added “Please, defend us. We know that you are going to defend us because your record is clean. You are a gentleman and peaceful. You are not a noise maker. People like you are endowed, and they have the fear of God.”
In the midst of political tensions, the faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara has conducted the screening and confirmation of legal expert Dagogo Israel Iboroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as the Commissioner-designate.
Led by Speaker Victor Oko Jumbo, the faction endorsed Commissioner-nominee Dagogo Iboroma on Monday, within the Chambers of the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt.
Iboroma is poised to assume the role of Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, succeeding Professor Zaccheus Adangor SAN, who resigned upon his redeployment to the Ministry of Special Duties (Governor’s office) two weeks ago.
According to report, Iboroma received an invitation on Sunday, signed by Dr. G.M. Gills-West, the Clerk of the House, summoning him for screening as the Commissioner nominee and potential member of the Rivers State Executive Council.
Recall that last week, Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo, a factional Speaker aligned with Governor Fubara, was elected after Governor Fubara asserted that the Martin Amaewhule-led lawmakers, loyal to Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital, ceased to be Rivers State lawmakers in the eyes of the law following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Observers speculate that Governor Fubara is pushing forward to instigate governance activities, with more Commissioner nominees expected to undergo screening by the Victor Oko Jumbo-led three-man Lawmakers.
However, our correspondent highlights that the invitation for screening is already stirring controversies.
In a Facebook post by lawyer Oraye St Franklyn, he raised various legal issues.
Former Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker, Edison Ehie has revealed that he was offered money to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Ehie, now serving as Chief of Staff to the governor, was previously the majority leader when the first attempt to impeach Fubara took place.
Along with a few others, he opposed the move, leading to a split from the lawmakers loyal to Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ehie later became the speaker of the faction, which disbanded after President Bola Tinubu intervened and a peace accord was signed between the Wike and Fubara camps.
The peace efforts faltered shortly thereafter, and the two factions resumed their conflict.
Speaking at an event in Ahoada East area of Rivers State over the weekend, Ehie reiterated that he was offered money to oust the governor.
While he didn’t reveal the identities of those behind the offer, he affirmed that he declined it.
He said “They invited me, your son, to impeach the governor and I told them clearly, I was not interested. They gave me all the money that was hidden before, which I rejected. And because I refused, they conspired and declared me wanted.”
Recall that in 2023, the police declared the Chief of Staff wanted in connection with the invasion of the State House of Assembly.
Also, in October 2023, an explosion rocked the state assembly building amidst reports of lawmakers attempting to impeach Fubara.
The lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule reportedly lodged criminal complaints against Ehie with the Rivers State Police Command over the invasion and arson of the Rivers State House of Assembly chambers by unidentified hoodlums.
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