THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has made some high-profile arrests in the last few months.
Data generated by the ICIR from media reports between January and May 2022 showed that the arrested persons were alleged to be involved in one alleged fraud or the other.
Those arrested between January and May 2022 included a senator representing Imo West and former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.
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The EFCC picked him for allegedly diverting public funds and properties to the tune of N2.9 billion.
The ICIR reported that operatives of the EFCC stormed Okorocha’s Abuja residence and arrested him.
It was learnt that the EFCC agents insisted that the former Imo State governor must present himself for arrest following a long-standing invitation addressed to him, which he ignored.
Another high profile arrest by the EFCC was Nsima Ekere, a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Ekere was arrested on May 18, 2022 on an allegation of diversion of N47 billion NDDC funds through registered contractors.
The EFCC also arrested Ahmed Idris, the former Accountant General of the Federation, on May 16, 2022 for misappropriation of N80bn through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities using proxies, family members and close associates.
A former governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, was arrested on his way out of the country in March 2022 for allegedly diverting Anambra State funds to personal use.
A former governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, was also arrested in May 2022 for allegedly benefiting to the tune of N22bn from the N84bn sum that the suspended AGF was accused of diverting.
An operative of the commission, who wished to remain anonymous because he claimed he was not authorised to speak to the media, told THE PUNCH, “On May 29, the EFCC arrested a former governor of Zamfara State, Yari, and Anthony Yaro, Chairman and Managing Director of Finex Professional, for their alleged roles in an N84bn fraud involving a former Accountant General of the Federation.”
Also on the list of high-profile arrests made by the EFCC is the Accountant General of Oyo State, Gafar Bello. The EFCC picked Bello up in March 2022 over a N9bn money laundering allegation.
An APC chieftain, Bolarinwa Oluwasegun, was also arrested by the EFCC during the period for allegedly faking the identity of an Army general to defraud unsuspecting citizens to the tune of $270 million.
Lastly, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Pateicia Etteh, was arrested on May 17 2022 by the EFCC allegedly for fraudulently handling the N130m solar street light project in Akwa Ibom State.
Data provided by James Emmanuel
A reporter with the ICIR
A Journalist with a niche for quality and a promoter of good governance