N3bn fraud: Ex-minister quietly sneaks out of Nigeria 

A minister accused of taking part in the N3.145 billion fraud case is said to have ‘quietly travelled’ out of the country as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) continues to investigate the alleged fraud case.

Six leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party and a group that campaigned for former President Goodluck Jonathan, Goodluck Support Group (GSG), are under investigation by the anti-graft agency.

Others currently under investigation include: former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (N840m); a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and leader of the Social Democratic Party, Chief Olu Falae (N100m); a former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman(N36.9m); a former Imo State Governor, Chief Achike Udenwa and a former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Viola Onwuliri(N350m)  and Okey Ezenwa(N100m).

According to The Nation, the money used for funding the election was allegedly withdrawn on the orders of the Presidency and paid into an account named Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Library. The account was used by the Presidency and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for “strategic assignments”.

A source was quoted to have disclosed that: “The CBN released the funds based on orders from the Presidential Villa. Some documents on the withdrawal have been obtained by the EFCC.”

“From the preliminary investigation, MEA was a coded account used by the Presidential Villa and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for strategic assignments, including funding of the re-election campaign of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.”

“After the cash was moved to MEA account, it was moved into the account of Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited, which was allegedly provided by ex-Minister Nenadi Usman.

“In fact, some of the bureaucrats connected with the withdrawal of the funds from the CBN have not been comfortable. Some suspects have actually offered to return the cash quietly to EFCC.

“I am aware that some persons have made statement to the EFCC on what they knew about the deal. But most of the beneficiaries have not been quizzed. They will soon be invited by the EFCC for interrogation and how to return the money.”

According to the report, some individuals currently under investigation have offered to return the stolen funds to the EFCC, but the anti-graft agency is planning on inviting those fingered in the case for interrogation.

A source, who spoke with The Nation, stated that an ex-minister left the country on Sunday and her whereabouts is unknown.

The source was quoted to have said: “The EFCC has been on the case for some time and one or two of the suspects at a point came to make statements. But one of the former ministers who was also connected with the matter has jetted out.”

“The ex-minister left the country quietly on Sunday. No one can say her actual destination and whether or not it was a routine trip abroad or a self-imposed exile.”

“The reality is that there is no hiding place for any former public officer. Wherever a suspect is, the EFCC will repatriate such a person.”

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