Diversion of N731 million: EFCC re-arrests ex-INEC chief, 1 other
- An assistant director of INEC and one other official who received bribe from a former minister have been re-arrested
- Christian Nwosu and Tijani Inda were re-arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday, February 6
- They were re-arrested for alleged diversion of funds and money laundering to the tune of N731,438,926.35
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, February 6, re-arrested two former officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for allegedly diverting N731 million.
Christian Nwosu, a former INEC administrative secretary, Kwara state and Tijani Inda, an INEC assistant director were re-arrested at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos state for offences bordering on diversion of funds and money laundering to the tune of N731,438,926.35.
The duo were alleged to have conspired to divert the fund for their personal use through an account belonging to Abdulganiyu Adebayo, a cashier with INEC in Kwara state.
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A statement by the EFCC on Thursday, February 8, said Nwosu gave approval for the transfer of the money which was earmarked for the commission's operations in the state.
Following Nwosu's approval, Inda filled the forms used to transfer the funds from Adebayo’s account into some companies they both have interest in.
The commission said the accused persons will soon be charged to court once investigation on the matter is concluded.
Nwosu and Inda had earlier appeared before Justice Muhammed idris on a seven count charge for receiving N264.88 million gratification
Nwosu had pleaded guilty to receiving N30 million out of N23 billion from a former minister of petroleum resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke.
The commission said investigations showed the money was meant to serve as bribe to compromise the 2015 general election.
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He was found guilty and convicted by the court.
Following his acquittal, the court also ordered the forfeiture of all the landed properties acquired by Nwosu with the alleged proceeds of crime, including the sum of N5 million found in his bank account.
A plea bargain entered by the first defendant was also denied by the court on the grounds that Nwosu’s offence was heavier than the plea bargain.
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Recall that Legit.ng previously reported that Nwosu told a Lagos Federal High Court that he collected the sum of N30 million bribe from Dieziani Alison-Madueke, the former petroleum minister.
He later made a U-turn, alleging that he was coerced to make the statement.
Nwosu said he was threatened by EFCC boss to lie that he received N30 million from the ex-minister who is currently facing several charges of fraud both in Nigeria and UK.
The EFCC stage a walk against corruption - on Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
