Ebonyi State Governor’s brother, Austin Umahi, is currently being probed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly pocketing the sum of N400 million meant for compromising the 2015 presidential election in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Austin, who chairs a group of companies, was arrested along with two others – Chinyere Egwuche and Mabel Dikibo for using some companies to divert the huge sum to themselves.
The EFCC said that it arressted three persons who are members of staff of Brass Engineering & Construction Nigeria Limited and Osborn La-Palm Royal Resort, due to their refusal to honour its invitation for questioning over ongoing probe into how the companies got involved in the sharing of the campaign funds.
EFCC Spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren said, “While Austin Umahi doubles as the Chairman of both companies, Chinyere Egwuche and Marbel Dikibo are also signatories to the companies’ accounts.
“Investigations by the commission revealed that the sum of N400 million was released by the Director of Finance, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Senator Nenadi Usman, to PDP Ebonyi State for the 2015 presidential election.”
Investigations by the Commission revealed that the said fund was immediately moved from Fidelity Bank Abakaliki on March 27, 2015, where it was initially deposited, to an Access Bank Abakaliki account.
Maxwell Umahi further moved N100 million and N300 million respectively into the accounts of Brass Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited and Osborn La-Palm Royal Resort respectively.
From the account, Chinyere Egwuche subsequently withdrew the N300 million paid into the account of Osborn La-Palm, which according to her was used to finance further construction of Osborn La-Palm Hotels in Abakaliki, Uburu and Port Harcourt, while N100 million paid into the account of Brass Engineering & Construction Nigeria Limited was transferred to a certain David Umahi Faith Foundation.
Uwujaren said last night that although investigation was ongoing, the said companies had been traced to the Ebonyi State governor.
However, Austin Umahi, who is the National Vice Chairman, South East zone of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP quickly debunked reports that he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
“I wasn’t arrested, there is nothing like that. Will I be arrested and I am picking my calls and talking to you. It is trash, nothing like that happened.
“What did they even say I did. I am just hearing it for the first time right now from you. I will advise that people should properly investigate before writing their reports,” he said.
Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.
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