More Trouble For Embattled Ebonyi State Governor As EFCC Arrests Son

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, Nigeria 2015 Election Saturday, January 31st, 2015

FROM IGNATIUS OKPARA, Abakaliki – The ongoing political feud between Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi state, and Secretary to government of the federation,(SGF), Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, on Friday took a new twist as the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, quizzed the governor’s son Nnanna Elechi, over alleged money laundry.

A source close to the Ebonyi state government house disclosed under condition of anonymity that operatives of the anti- graft agency arrived Abakaliki on Thursday after which they quizzed the Junior Elechi.

African Examiner gathered that Nnanna, is being held over allegations of money laundering running into several millions.

He is alleged to be the Director of the family’s company that profited from contracts from the state and local governments running into millions of naira and which remain unexecuted less than four months to the expiration of his father’s tenure.

However, our Correspondent learnt that the arrest may not be unconnected with the lingering face- off between governor Elechi, the (SGF), and some other Abuja based politicians from the state, who are seriously plotting the governor’s impeachment.

Our Correspondent recalled that only last week, the EFCC, quizzed the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Works, Cornelius Onwe; while the state’s Accountant General, Edwin Igbele; Commissioner for Finance, Timothy Ogbonnaya Odaa; and Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy Matters, Cele Nwali, had earlier been arrested by operatives of the Commission in Abuja.

The above mentioned state government officials, were all fingered in an alleged fraud regarding an Asphalt Project earmarked for the 13 council areas of the state by the Elechi administration for which monies running into millions of naira were deducted at source, from local government accounts.

Efforts to reach the EFCC, Head of media and publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, hit the brick wall, as non of his two mobile phones lines were available as at the time of filing this report.

Going by the political woes Governor Elechi has been facing since he fell out with the SGF, there are strong indications that he too would definitely face the EFCC as soon as he completes his tenure in May 29 this year.