The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a
popular Abuja socialite who is also a top official of the Nigerian
Prisons Service, Dr (Mrs) Imaobong Akon Esu-Nte. The suspect, a Grade
Level 14 Officer with the Federal Ministry of Finance seconded to the
Nigerian Prison Service as Head, Capital Accounts, was picked up Tuesday
May 6 by operatives of the anti graft agency. And for several hours,
she was grilled by investigators over allegations bordering on
corruption, abuse of office and money laundering.
EFCC officials
said they received tip-off regarding the suspect’s lifestyle which was
inconsistent with her position as a public servant on a monthly salary
of N121, 460 ($751).
The suspect owns several exotic cars and
properties scattered over the (Federal Capital Territory) Abuja. Among
her properties is a palatial mansion, a duplex with two-bedroom Boys
Quarters at Sun City Estate, Abuja and another duplex at Karu Extension,
Abuja, which is nearing completion.
Three luxury automobiles
were recovered from her at the time of arrest. They include a Mercedes
Benz ML 350 4matic wagon, Mercedes Benz GL 500 SUV and a Toyota Sienna.
EFCC
sources said Imaobong's arrest was triggered by intelligence report on
suspicious inflow of huge funds into her account with a new generation
bank.
Close scrutiny of the account by investigators literally
opened a can of worms, as it came to light that the suspect is the
promoter and signatory to the accounts of three companies: Abasiaga
Global Resources Limited, Abasiono Nigeria Limited and Ememima Global
Ventures Limited, the companies were established after she was posted to
the Nigerian Prison Service and all the directors are her children (Dr.
Etsu Daniel, Eme Faith and Uwen David).
She is also the owner of two other companies- Darima Properties and ID Petroleum
Sources
revealed that several cash and cheque deposit into the accounts of
these companies and the personal account of Imaobong in Zenith and
Access bank could not be justified. The accounts of her companies are
said to have recorded an inflow of not less than N200million between
2009 and now.
Another startling discovery by investigators for
which the suspect has failed to provide an explanation, is the nearly
N60million she paid in various tranches into the account of Redeem
Christian Church of God, a prominent pentecostal church in Karu, a
suburb of Abuja. ‘There are instances in which she paid N5m, N7m and N6m
into the church’s account. Obviously this cannot be tithe an EFCC
investigator told SaharaReporters.
She must explain the source of
the funds and the purpose for which the payments were made”, one of the
investigators who pleaded not to be named because he was not authorized
to speak on the matter said.
Equally shocking, is the discovery
of five names that consistently (on monthly basis) paid money into the
private accounts of Imaobong at Zenith and Access bank since she arrived
at the Nigerian Prisons Service as Head, Capital Accounts.
At
press time, the socialite was still facing interrogators, unable to
explain her sudden wealth. Sources informed SaharaReporters that she
told her interrogators that she made her money doing contracts, contrary
to provisions of the public service rule that forbids a serving officer
to establish companies or prospect for contracts.
Spokesman of
the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren while confirming the arrest warned public
officers engaged in corrupt practices to desist or risk the wrath of the
law. He said the agency was determined to ensure that officers who
abuse their positions for self enrichment are brought to book.
He
equally pleaded with the members of the public to stop celebrating
corruption by asking questions when it is obvious that the lifestyle of
certain persons can not be supported by their known sources of income.
Visit www.campusflava.com for more news
No comments:
Post a Comment