EFCC quizzes Okereke-Onyiuke over N15bn Transcorp scam
By Tobi Soniyi, Olufemi Adeosun and Gbenga Agbana
Published: Wednesday, 27 May 2009
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday quizzed the Director-General, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Prof. Ndidi Okereke-Onyiuke, over an alleged N15bn Transcorp’s contract scam.
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Our Correspondent
Director-General, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Prof. Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke
A source close to the commission told our correspondent in Abuja that Okereke-Onyiuke was invited by the agency to answer questions on the alleged scam.
Okereke-Onyiuke, who was sighted at the commission’s headquarters at about 2pm on Tuesday, was still being interrogated as at 7pm when this story was filed.
However, there were indications that she was granted administrative bail before the end of the day.
When contacted, the Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Femi Babafemi, confirmed the interrogation of the director-general.
He, however, declined to give further comments on whether she could be detained or not.
He said, “All that I can tell you is that she was invited to give a statement on the issue of the alleged N15bn contract scam.”
But Okereke-Onyiuke told one of our correspondent on Tuesday that she was not quizzed by the EFCC.
She said, “I was not accused of anything in the Transcorp issue, so why would I be quizzed? It is not true.”
The EFCC had on Monday, filed a 32 charges against the Group Managing Director of Transcorp, Mr. Tom Iseghohi.
Also due to face trial in connection with the contract deal are the company’s Deputy General Manager, Mr. Mike Okoli, and the Company Secretary, Mr. Mohammed Buba.
Isheghohi and the two other suspects, who were arrested about two weeks ago in connection with the award of contracts, have since been remanded at the commission’s custody.
A source close to the anti-graft commission told our correspondent that the suspects might be arraigned before a Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday (today).
The source also said that the suspects, who had since their arrest on May 17, been detained in the EFCC custody, would be charged with conspiracy and criminal diversion of public funds.
They were handed over to the commission by the agents of the State Security Service.
Iseghohi, with the two other suspects, were alleged to have awarded some of the controversial contracts and made payment for services, using different companies .
Meanwhile, Iseghohi on Tuesday sued the EFCC before an Abuja High Court, claiming N2bn for alleged unlawful detention
Other plaintiffs in ths suit, filed on his behalf by Mr. Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN), are the Deputy General Manager of the company, Mr. Mike Okoli, and the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Mr. Mohammed Buba
The suspects are demanding the payment of the sum by the commission for allegedly detaining them unlawfully in respect of investigation on the alleged mismanagement of the company funds.
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