Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 arrested three top officials of Imo State government for allegedly diverting the sum of N2billion (Two Billion Naira) bailout fund given to the state by the Federal Government for payment of salary arrears of the state’s civil servants.
The suspects are Dr. Obi Paschal Chigozie, Principal Secretary to the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha; Uzoho Casmir, Director of Finance and Iheoma Kenneth, Treasurer.
Their arrest followed an investigation into the alleged diversion of the said money which revealed that, the cashier had made a 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 to the Chief of Staff to the Governor, following approval and directive by the Principal Secretary to the Governor.
The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.