In what could be described as a move to keep to its earlier statement of probing former governors, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has intensified its probe of the immediate past Governor of Ebonyi State, Martin Elechi, over some alleged fraudulent contracts approved by his government.
The EFCC had earlier in the year, received a series of petitions against Elechi’s government, making the commission to invite the ex-governor and his son, Nnanna for questioning.
Also in line with the probe, the commission arrested a former Commissioner for Public Utilities in the state, Mr. Benjamin Okah, for his alleged role in a $12m contract awarded to a United States-based firm, Califco Group, in 2012.
EFCC via a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said that the state government paid $10.8m to the firm in 2012 as mobilisation fee but the project was abandoned.
The anti-graft agency said Okah allegedly received N83m as gratification through two of his companies.
The statement reads, “The EFCC on Monday arrested a former Commissioner for Public Utilities in Ebonyi State, Benjamin Okah, for alleged abuse of office and collecting gratification to the tune of N83m.
“The arrest was sequel to a petition by the Ebonyi State Government over a $12m contract to a US-based company, Califco Group, that had been abandoned since 2012, despite a mobilisation of $10.8m already paid by Ebonyi State Government into the accounts of the said company.
“Investigation has revealed that both the Abuja and Ebonyi State addresses of the said company are fictitious. In the course of investigation, it was discovered that the former commissioner allegedly collected gratification from the company in the sum of N83m between July 30, 2012 and December 30, 2014, through his companies: Global Victory Allied Company and Mahco Mega Nigeria Limited.
“Investigation in this matter continues,” it said.
