Politics

Drama as EFCC claims it arrested Ebonyi gov’s brother

Published

8 years ago

August 31, 2016

Austin Umahi, a younger brother of Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, Austin, has debunked claims by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, that he had been arrested.

The agency had on Tuesday claimed it arrested the younger Umahi alongside 2 others for allegedly pocketing N400m given to Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as part of the alleged election bribe money for the 2015 election.

The EFCC, Tuesday night announced that three persons were arrested in connection with the probe into the money.

According to the EFCC statement, Austin, the chairman of some companies and the National Vice Chairman of the PDP for Southeast, was arrested alongside Chinyere Egwuche and Mabel Dikibo-for using some companies to divert the huge sum to themselves.

It also added that the three were arrested after they failed to honour invitations from it.

Read also: Judge shocked over PDP’s suit against CJ, Abang

EFCC Spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren said: “While Austin Umahi doubles as the Chairman of both companies, Chinyere Egwuche and Marbel Dikibo are also signatories to the companies’ accounts.

“Investigations by the commission revealed that the sum of N400 million was released by the Director of Finance, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Senator Nenadi Usman, to PDP Ebonyi State for the 2015 presidential election.”

According to the statement, the money was immediately moved from Fidelity Bank Abakaliki on March 27, 2015, where it was initially deposited, to an Access Bank Abakaliki account. Maxwell Umahi further moved N100 million and N300 million respectively into the accounts of Brass Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited and Osborn La-Palm Royal Resort respectively.

The EFCC statement also disclosed that the two companies were traced to Gov David Umahi.

Austin however denied being arrested by the EFCC.

Austin, who spoke with a national daily on phone, wondered how he could be speaking on the phone if he was arrested by the EFCC, saying nothing like that happened at any time.

“I wasn’t arrested, there is nothing like that. Will I be arrested and I am picking my calls and talking to you. It is trash, nothing like that happened.

“What did they even say I did. I am just hearing it for the first time right now from you. I will advise that people should properly investigate before writing their reports,” he said.

By Timothy Enietan-Matthews…

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