An impeccable EFCC source confided in SaharaReporters that since 2013, the three men have been under investigation for deliberate failure to declare some of their bank accounts, as well as fraud and embezzlement, stating that they had previously made statements at various times but been granted bail.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has quizzed the current Executive Secretary of the Delta State Technical and Vocational Education Board (TVEB) and the former Director of the Direct Labour Agency (DLA), representing Delta South, Mr. Michael Akpobiri, over massive fraud and embezzlement of funds meant for roads projects by the agency.
Also interrogated by the commission in its Port Harcourt zonal office were Akpobiri's former colleagues, Mr. Lucky Ayomanor and Mr. Ngozi Okolie.
During the administration of Emmanuel Uduaghan, Ayomanor represented Delta Central at the agency, while Okolie represented Delta North.
An impeccable EFCC source confided in SaharaReporters that since 2013, the three men have been under investigation for deliberate failure to declare some of their bank accounts, as well as fraud and embezzlement, stating that they had previously made statements at various times but been granted bail.
It was learned that Mr. Akpobiri and his two former colleagues allegedly used their undeclared bank accounts for money laundering while Akpobiri used part of the agency's funds to sponsor campaigns for the 2015 governorship election of Mr. Ifeanyi Okowathrough his (Akpobiri's) Canaan Movement, of which he was the State Coordinator.
Akpobiri, who was said to have been on the run, claiming he was far away in India, turned himself in for questioning in Port Harcourt upon learning he might be declared wanted.
When contacted, he said and his colleagues were quizzed by the commission adding that they have been on bail for over two years now without being charged to court, and wondered why the case was being exhumed by the new head of the zonal office.
Calls and messages to EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren were not answered, but an EFCC source confirmed the story, adding that the three former DLA directors have been told to report back to the same zonal office tomorrow.
Just last month, the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, sentenced former DLA Director-General Igbini Odafe Emmanuel to one and a half years imprisonment.
That followed a three-count charge against him by the EFCC over his failure to make full disclosure of his assets comprising his Naira account with Stanbic IBTC Bank, his US Dollar Account and his daughter’s account with same bank.
