by Isi Esene

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arrested Chibuike Achigbu, the Lagos businessman who last week claimed ownership of the $15m allegedly offered to the former EFCC chairman, Nuhu Ribadu by the former governor of Delta State, James Ibori.

The businessman who is said to be a major player in the nation’s oil industry was reported to have been arrested in Lagos on Friday and promptly transferred to Abuja for interrogation.

Sources at the EFCC say Achigbu is cooperating with the investigation and making useful statements.

The source said:

“We arrested the mastermind of the dubious effort to claim the bribe sum and our officers have been interrogating him since his arrival in Abuja.

“The man has cooperated with our operatives and made useful statement on the circumstance surrounding the dubious attempt to claim the money in the custody of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“He may be granted Administrative bail and released from our custody if he meets the conditions attached to the bail.”

After the announcement by a Federal High Court which gave an interim forfeiture order to the Federal Government if the $15m is not claimed within a fourteen day period, Chibuike Achigbu, last week, went to court swearing an affidavit to the effect that the money belongs to him.

He, however, withdrew the case almost immediately drawing suspicion and speculation of a possible hidden agenda.

When contacted, the Acting Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the arrest of Achigbu, adding that he had made useful statement to the operatives.

Through Festus Keyamo, the EFCC on Wednesday obtained a court order authorizing it to arrest Chibuike Achigbu and Andy Uba in connection with the bribe sum.