Posted by OKEY ONWUCHEKWA, Yenagoa on
ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained three top government officials of Bayelsa State for alleged diversion of public funds through purchases and contracts.
ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained three top government officials of Bayelsa State for alleged diversion of public funds through purchases and contracts.
Those detained include Bayelsa State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Solomon Apreala, State Accountant-General, Elder Steven Enanamu, and Government House Accountant, Mr. Olaitari Ikemike.
Gov. D. S. P Alamieyeseigha is presently in France for his annual medical check-up.
According to a statement issued by acting Chief Press Secretary (CSP) to the Governor, Mr. Preye Wariowei, the three top shots were questioned and detained in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, by the EFCC officials, last Monday night.
"They are being interrogated for alleged diversion of public funds through purchases and award of contracts."
Daily Champion gathered that EFCC is interested in a new boat (SunSeekers) bought by the government, which is official boat of the state governor.
The commission is also said to be interested in the mode of award other ramifications of the contract for the building of both the Governor's and Deputy Governor's lodges, Wariowei said.
The statement added that it "appears to us that the target of this EFCC onslaught is His Excellency, Chief D. S. P. Alamieyeseigha but, then, hard evidence would be needed to move against him, so it becomes easy to go after his aides."
Conceding the fact that EFCC had visited other states to interrogate people on corruption, the governor's spokesman expressed hope that the arrest of the officials has no political undertone.
"In all these places (other states), EFCC personnel spoke with the people there and invited them to their offices in Abuja. There was no middle stops. We are at a loss why the questioning of our state officials did not take place in Yenagoa but in Port Harcourt," he wondered.
Dwelling further on the contracts and purchase of a boat, the statement explained that it was curious for the commission to raise eyebrows over purchase of a boat when Bayelsa State is 85 per cent riverine.
"As to the contracts for the building of the Governor's Lodge and the Deputy Governor's Lodge, these were projects that commenced in 1999. What is the game behind investigating these projects?," Wariowei asked.
When contacted on the arrest EFCC spokesman, Mr. Osita Nwajah said: "I can confirm that we are working in that state and we will continue to invite anybody who has question to answer."
Speaking in a telephone interview with Daily Champion he refused to be categorical if the trio were arrested.