*EFCC detains, grants bail to ex-bank MD
In what can be regarded as startling revelation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered an additional $72, 870,000 linked to the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The EFCC also disclosed on Wednesday that it has arrested and detained a former Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, over the matter.
The commission further stated that Okonkwo was arrested over the additional $72, 870,000million still in the coffers of the bank.
A statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, also stated that the ex-Managing Director was being quizzed with Charles Onyedibe.
The statement reads: “As part of the ongoing investigations into the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested a former Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, allegedly over an additional $72,870,000million still in the coffers of the bank.
“Okonkwo, who is currently the Chairman of First Bank Holding, alongside others, had earlier been grilled over a sum of $153million and $115million by the Commission.
“While all the $153 million was recovered by the EFCC, the cases involving $115million, as it relates with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, bribery matter, are in various courts.
“Okonkwo and Charles Onyedibe are currently being detained by the EFCC over the whereabouts of the new $72.8m.”
Meanwhile, the EFCC has granted an administrative bail to Nnamdi Okonkwo as the ex-bank MD was allowed to go home last night.
Theideal recalls that though Diezani has fled the country and denied any wrongdoing, the EFCC is making concerted efforts to extradite Diezani to Nigeria in order to face justice.
Incidentally, the Federal Government has secured the final forfeiture of Diezani’s properties located in Banana Island Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, including 18 flats and six penthouses.
Other items forfeited by Diezani to Federal Government include 125 wedding gowns, 13 small gowns, 41 waist trainers, 73 hard flowers, 11 suits, 11 invisible bras, 73 veils, 30 braziers, two standing fans, 17 magic skirts, six blankets, one table blanket and 64 pairs of shoes.
