By Ogochukwu Isioma, in Benin City
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has reacted to a trending video insinuating that one Mr. Jonathan Okunbor, a suspect reportedly being investigated for an alleged N6 billion fraud, was an election witness in Edo state.
In a statement on Wednesday by Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s Head, Media & Publicity, the anti-graft agency clarified that the suspect is not a witness of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election tribunal as claimed by the party’s candidate, Mr. Asue Ighodalo.
“Rather, he (Okunbor) is a prime suspect connected to a case of misappropriation of funds involving all the 18 local government areas of Edo State,” the commission stated.
“Ongoing investigations showed that about N6 billion was diverted to Kezmith Global Ventures owned by Okunbor. The suspect was running the ventures using the name and identity of Mr. Godfrey Emode.
“The Commission’s investigators, in their quest to unearth the shadiness of Ogunbor, arrested Emode who led them to the suspect in Eterno Hotel where a pre-trial meeting was being held.
“Investigators interrogated the counsel to Ighodalo on the status of Okunbor in the election tribunal matters and he clearly stated that he was not a witness in the matter.
“In spite of this, Mr. Ighodalo and his co-travellers at Eterno Hotel prevented EFCC officers from carrying out their constitutional duty and obstructed them from arresting Okunbor.
“Specifically, Ighodalo insisted that Okunbor was his witness when it was obvious that he only wanted to aid his escape from the Commission’s investigators.”
The EFCC says it remains committed to its adherence to the rule of law, noting that the anti-graft agency has no business with any Edo State election witness that has no corruption charge before it.
“The EFCC will not hesitate to bring anyone to trial, witness or no witness, if it has a basis for doing so,” the commission insisted.
EFCC assured that Okunbor will be brought to book soon in connection with the alleged N6 billion fraud involving his firm, Kezmith Global Ventures.
The EFCC is currently investigating the eighteen (18) suspended Local Government Council chairmen in Edo State over alleged financial impropriety.
Okunbor is an official in Orhionmwon, one of the affected councils, and also an ally of the then suspended but now impeached council boss, Newman Ugiagbe.
