The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has firmly denied allegations that its investigation into Mr. Jonathan Okunbor, a key suspect in a N6 billion fraud case involving all 18 local government areas of Edo State, is politically motivated or tied to the ongoing governorship election tribunal in the state.
In a statement issued by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media & Publicity for the EFCC, the Commission clarified that Okunbor is not a witness for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the tribunal.
This follows accusations from Mr. Asue Ighodalo, the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate in the last election, who alleged that the EFCC’s actions were aimed at disrupting the party’s case.
The EFCC described Okunbor as a prime suspect in an ongoing investigation into the diversion of public funds.
The Commission revealed that approximately N6 billion was funneled into Kezmith Global Ventures, a company allegedly operated by Okunbor under the alias Mr. Godfrey Emode.
“The Commission wishes to state without any equivocation that Okunbor is not a witness of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the election tribunal as claimed by Mr. Asue Ighodalo.
Rather, he is a prime suspect connected to a case of misappropriation of funds involving all the 18 local government areas of Edo State,” the statement read.
According to the EFCC, Mr. Emode was arrested and reportedly led investigators to Okunbor, who was located at Eterno Hotel during what appeared to be a pre-trial meeting.
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The EFCC accused Ighodalo and other PDP officials of obstructing justice during the attempt to arrest Okunbor at the hotel. The Commission alleged that the officials claimed Okunbor was a tribunal witness to prevent his apprehension.
“Specifically, Ighodalo insisted that Okunbor was his witness when it was obvious that he only wanted to aid his escape from the Commission’s investigators,” the EFCC stated.
Despite the interference, the EFCC reiterated its commitment to justice, emphasizing that its investigation is not influenced by political considerations. “The EFCC remains committed to its adherence to the rule of law and has no business with any Edo State election witness that has no corruption charge before it,” the statement added.
In a separate statement, Chris Nehikhare, the Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, condemned the EFCC’s actions, describing them as disgraceful and politically motivated.
Nehikhare accused the EFCC of being weaponized to intimidate PDP members and disrupt their case at the tribunal.
“It is disgraceful that the Edo State government has been reduced to this, where state powers are abused and, in some cases, act as the enforcement arm of thugs,” Nehikhare stated.
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He further alleged that the EFCC’s operation was part of a broader strategy to undermine the PDP’s tribunal case, citing past instances of alleged intimidation during the election campaign and inspection of election materials at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office.
A video circulating online captured a confrontation between EFCC operatives and PDP officials at the hotel conference room where the tribunal witnesses and legal team were reportedly preparing for the hearing.
The footage showed an EFCC operative in plain clothes attempting to arrest Okunbor amid heated protests from PDP members.
Nehikhare warned of potential disruptions at the tribunal venue, claiming it could follow the pattern of alleged intimidation tactics previously employed against the party.
“As this operation has failed today, we expect a deluge of thugs at the tribunal venue tomorrow to disrupt proceedings, just like they did at the INEC office,” he said.
The EFCC assured the public that its investigation would proceed without bias and that Okunbor would be held accountable for his alleged role in the misappropriation of public funds. It reaffirmed its commitment to impartiality and transparency, stressing that its actions are guided solely by evidence and the rule of law.