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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , EFCC, has barred some top officials of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, including its Director-General, Sally Mbanefo, from embarking on any foreign trip.
National Mirror gathered authoritatively yesterday that the ban would subsist until the affected officials of the corporation have cleared themselves over sundry allegations of fraud preferred against them.
The EFCC is probing allegations of fraud reportedly contained in a petition by concerned staff of NTDC touching on alleged expenditure of some funds not budgeted for.
The controversial expenses were allegedly used to “settle” operatives of the EFCC and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force.
As at the time of filing this report, about N270 million had reportedly been moved from NTDC accounts for the purpose.
The EFCC, which is investigating the fraud allegation involving several millions of naira and sundry ancillary criminal acts had reportedly arrested the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the NTDC, Dr. Segun Adesola, alongside top officials of the corporation last week Thursday before granting them administrative bail.
Meanwhile, Mbanefo who was also at the EFCC office for interrogation and some top officials of the corporation were scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom soon on an official assignment.
Already, some staff of the agency particularly the DG and Adesola had been given ‘note verbale’ by the Foreign Affairs Ministry to facilitate their visa application .
Sources within the EFCC revealed that the proposed official trip to London by some of the suspects had been aborted as operatives of the agency were not comfortable with the idea of the suspects travelling out of the country for fear of not returning to prove their innocence.
Trouble started after the EFCC reportedly got the petition about the anomalies at the corporation.
The petition, it was learnt, informed the decision of the anti- graft agency to put the corporation under its searchlight and monitor those alleged to be involved in financial crimes in the corporation.
It was gathered that six EFCC officials had monitored the suspects from Monday till Thursday when the operatives made the surprise appearance.
Initially, some senior management staff of the corporation, particularly the Deputy Director, Finance, Chris Okafor, was shocked when the EFCC officials pounced on Dr. Adesola to effect his arrest.
National Mirror reliably gathered that “Dr.” Segun Adesola, one of the suspects was said to have persuaded the leadership of the Corporation on the need to court the leadership of the anti-graft agencies.”
Adesola had also reportedly claimed to be an Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, attached to the EFCC. Okafor had reportedly tried to prevent them from arresting Dr Adesola, but when the operatives insisted on arresting him along with five others, Okafor allegedly begged for forgiveness for obstructing them.
He was, however, invited to join the suspects as his name allegedly featured prominently in the list of those to be invited.
It was also gathered that a search conducted in Adesola’s Lugbe, Abuja residence further strengthened the EFCC’s suspicion that he should be interrogated more on sundry crimes. For example, the EFCC team that went to search his house recovered some copies of NYSC discharge and exemption certificates and blank copies of University of Jos degree certificates.
This development, among others, informed the decision of the antigraft agency to commence a full-scale investigation into the financial activities of Ms Mbanefo since her assumption of office as DG few months ago.
It was gathered that apart from Dr. Adebayo, five other NTDC staff including its DG were granted administrative bail and told to report back unfailingly at the Wuse11 headquarters of the anti-graft agency.
Adesola’s official car was also impounded. Although, Adesola was said to have written a statement on Thursday, Ms Mbanefo was unable to write one as she was said to be weeping profusely throughout.
She is, however, expected to write one this week. She is also expected to furnish EFCC investigators with payment vouchers allegedly kept in her office instead of the accounts department.
Although the DG was allegedly said to have informed EFCC officials that the principal suspect in Thursday’s arrest is unknown to her, eight photographs in the hands of EFCC have been able to establish a nexus between them The anti-graft agency’s attention was also drawn to recent employment in the corporation particularly how the DG’s driver, a primary six school leaver was allegedly given the post of Protocol Officer on level 14.
EFCC’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement confirmed the arrest of Adesola. NTDC’s information officer, Ms O. Grace, confirmed Friday that EFCC officials came to effect the arrest of the corporation’s CSO.
But when National Mirror called her yesterday on development in the matter, she not only feigned ignorance but added that she knew nothing about it as she had been on official assignment outside Abuja. National Mirror, however,, few minutes after Ms Grace claimed to be outside Abuja confirmed that she was on her seat.
wonders shall never cease!