EFCC quizzes former presidential aspirant

Category: News Published on Sunday, 27 January 2013 15:53 Written by Ronald Mutum

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has quizzed Chief Osita Emmanuel Okereke, a former presidential aspirant of the Nigeria Liberation Party (NLP), over allegations of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretenses and extortion.

In a statement by the spokesman of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, “Okereke is allegedly the arrow head of a syndicate masquerading as members of a self-style “National Task Force” set up to combat Importation and Smuggling of Small Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons.”

Wilson said, “The syndicate, which maintains offices in some of the country’s geo-political zones, allegedly defrauded unsuspecting members of the public by deceitfully selling recruitment forms to them at the cost of five thousand naira (5,000) each under the pretext of offering them employment with the Federal Government.

“The scam was uncovered through intelligence report. And, after weeks of painstaking surveillance, operatives of the Commission stormed the 3rd Floor Federal Secretariat Complex, Independence Layout, Enugu, offices of the syndicate and arrested the Zonal Coordinator, Obinna C. Onyekwelu and nine others.

“The other suspects are: Ajuani Uchenna, Emmanuel Ngwu, Kenneth Ambrose, Ogunjimi Charles, Uzoamaka Ikwunne, Chinwe Ogbu, Onyia Fidelia, Eze Amobi and Anioke Obinna. Several documents and cash were recovered after a search. The suspects have since been released on administrative bail after making useful statements.

“Okereke claims his National Task Force was duly recognized by the government. However, the Commission’s investigation found no evidence of such registration.

“ The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded,” the statement said.