The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Abia State, Slyvester Ezeani, was interrogated by agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday. The interrogation, which took place in the capital of Rivers State Port Harcourt, for his connection to a N20 million electoral scam.
In a separate investigation, Akwa Ibom State House of Representatives member, Nse Bassey Ekpenyong, was arrested in connection to a certificate forgery scam.
Mr. Ezeani wasthe INEC REC for Cross Rivers State during the March 28th 2015 presidential and National Assembly elections. While serving as the REC, Mr. Ezeani was alleged to have personally collected N20 million. The money he took was allegedly taken from a total sum of N241 million allocated to Cross Rivers State.
Mr. Ekpenyong ran into trouble when an non-governmental organization petitioned the EFCC alleging that he committed perjury and financial crimes. According to them, he submitted a forged Ordinary National Diploma and Statement of Result from the Abia State Polytechnic to INEC to run for office. The petitioner also alleged that Mr. Ekpenyong fraudulently obtained salaries, allowances and other financial benefits from his contrived certificate.
Investigations by the EFCC showed that Mr. Ekpenyong did not attend the Polytechnic as alleged by the petitioner and the Ordinary National Diploma did not emanate from the institution. Further investigations are ongoing on the case. Mr. Ekpenyong has been released on bail while Mr. Ezeani remains in the custody of the EFCC.
