EFCC arrests Okorocha’s aides for ‘diverting’ bailout fund

Three top officials of the Imo state government were yesterday arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for allegedly diverting the sum of N2bn bailout meant for the payment of salary arrears of the state’s civil servants.

A statement issued on Thursday by the anti-graft agency gave the names and position of the suspects as: Obi Paschal Chigozie, Principal Secretary to the Governor of Imo state, Uzoho Casmir, Director of Finance and Iheoma Kenneth, Treasurer.

It added that, “their arrest followed an investigation into the alleged diversion of the said money which revealed that, the cashier had made cash withdrawal of N456.532m between September 3, 2015 and October 10, 2015 from the government house account domiciled in Zenith Bank.

“However, it was revealed that the said amount was given to an aide of the chief of staff to the governor, following approval and directive by the principal secretary to the governor.”

The EFCC went on to assure that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations into the matter were concluded.