EFCC Arrests Former NDDC Boss, Nsima Ekere Over N47bn Fraud

EFCC has arrested a former NDDC boss, Nsima Ekere over N47bn fraud.

Newsone reports that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, has arrested the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Nsima Ekere for alleged diversion of funds to the tune of N47 billion through registered contractors of the agency.

This online news platform understands that Nsima Ekere, who was the governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for Akwa Ibom State during the 2019 general election, was arrested on Wednesday, May 18, 2022.

Newsone reports that EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwajaren confirmed Nsima Ekere’s arrest on Wednesday evening.

Newsone Nigeria reports that 56-year-old Nsima Ekere was the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) between 2016 and 2018.

Meanwhile, Nsima Ekere’s arrest is coming a few days after EFCC arrested Ahmed Idris, Nigeria’s Accountant General of the Federation.

The arrest of Nigeria’s Accountant General was announced in a statement on Monday, May 16, 2022, by EFCC Head of Media, Wilson Uwujaren. The spokesman said EFCC operatives took Idris into custody for alleged massive fraud.

Newsone reports that Nigeria’s Accountant General was accused of diversion of funds and money laundering to the tune of N80billion. Uwujaren noted that the commission acted on verified intelligence against Idris.

He was said to have “raked off the funds through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities using proxies, family members and close associates”.

The funds were laundered through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja, the EFCC added.

A statement published on the micro-blogging site, Twitter by the EFCC reads thus; “EFCC Arrests Ahmed Idris, Accountant General of the Federation, for N80billion Fraud Operatives of the EFCC on Monday, May 16, 2022, arrested serving Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris in connection with diversion of funds and money laundering activities to the tune of N80billion (Eighty Billion Naira) only.

“The Commission’s verified intelligence showed that the AGF raked off the funds through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities using proxies, family members and close associates.

“The funds were laundered through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja. Mr. Idris was arrested after failing to honour invitations by the EFCC to respond to issues connected to the fraudulent acts,” the statement added.

The Commission’s verified intelligence showed that the AGF raked off the funds through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities using proxies, family members and close associates.

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) May 16, 2022

Meanwhile, Newsone Nigeria reports that Idris was nabbed after failing to honour invitations to respond to issues connected to the alleged fraudulent acts. The Accountant General was suspended today by the Minister of Finance.