EFCC goes after APC governor barely a year in office, grills former customs boss

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state is reportedly under EFCC investigation over an alleged diversion of state fund – The governor is alleged to have been involved in the transfer of the state’s cash amounting to N4.29 billion from banks to unknown recipients – Some persons close to the government are already being investigated in relation to the cash transfers 

– The former comptroller general of the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Inde Dikko, was also arrested by the EFCC over alleged fraud The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has beamed its searchlight on Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state barely a year in office, over an alleged transfer of the state’s cash amounting to N4.29 billion from banks to unknown recipients.

 A top official of the commission said the anti-graft agency received two petitions against the governor and some top officials of his administration, Vanguard reports. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Governor Samuel Ortom Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has come under the searchlight of the EFCC The source said though the governor is covered by immunity while in office, an investigation into the matter has already commenced and some persons close to the government are being investigated in relation to the cash transfers.

 He said: “I can confirm to you that the commission has received petitions against Governor Ortom and other dramatis personae over alleged diversion and other financial infractions. We have also commenced investigation into the veracity of the petitions. And I can also tell you that the commission will soon take necessary action on the matter.” READ ALSO: EFCC arrests former Adamawa governor Some of those named in the petitions as arrowheads of the scam are said to be members of the state House of Assembly and the National Assembly. According to EFCC official, only those not covered by immunity were being interrogated in connection with the cash movement. In reaction, the governor’s chief press secretary, Terver Akase, said the report was not only false but also a demonstration of mischief and ignorance by the authors of the petitions. Meanwhile, the Alhaji Abdullahi Inde Dikko, the immediate past comptroller general of the Nigeria Customs Service was arrested by the EFCC over alleged fraud and abuse of office. Dikko was arrested in connection with N40billion, which he allegedly pocketed while in office. He was said to have arrived at the head office of the commission in Abuja around 10am and was taken into the commission’s facility for interrogation. The former Customs boss has been on the radar of the anti-graft agency for the past one year. READ ALSO: Arms deal: I told EFCC what I remembered – Witness A source disclosed that the N40billion accrued from the seven per cent cost of collection of Customs revenue and another one per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme, which generated billions of Naira in revenue, but was largely diverted. Dikko is also being interrogated over the N2billion, which he used in building what the commission described as a ‘palatial mansion’ located at 1, Audu Ogbe Street, Jabi, Abuja. The anti-graft agency may likely charge him to court for criminal conspiracy, theft, abuse of public office and diversion of public funds, among others. Dikko was the comptroller general of Nigerian Customs Service from August 2009 to August 2015. In January, EFCC operatives raided his residence in Abuja. Two week ago, report surfaced that Dikko confessed to acquiring properties worth $50m in Dubai and also acknowledge ownership of an apartment in Abuja and expensive farm in his native Katsina state.