EFCC arrests Imo commissioner, accountant general, legislators

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday arrested  the Imo state Commissioner for Finance, Okafor Chike John, and the Accountant General, Eche Ezenna George, in connection with the same N1 billion construction contract scam.

Both officials are currently being interrogated at the Abuja office of the EFCC, which arrested them over the contract allegedly awarded to JPROS International Limited.

The anti-corruption operatives also quizzed about three members of the Imo State House of Assembly over the crisis rocking the yet-to be-disclosed alleged disappearance of about N600 million.

According to sources, those being interrogated are Simeon Iwunze, the chairman of the recent probe panel that 'investigated' JPROS International Limited on road contracts award, Ikenna Eme and Samuel Anyanwu. They are to explain what they know about the scandal.

Also invited was an in-law to Governor Rochas Okorocha and his Special Adviser on Project Monitoring Committee, Macdonald Akano. He is being held for his alleged role in the shares of JPROS.

A top official of the EFCC informed that due process was not followed in the award of the contract, adding that 'the contract value was paid to the contractor before commencement of work.'

According to the EFCC official, more persons involved in the scam would be invited for questioning as investigations progress. The commission's spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the arrest.