Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 arrested three top officials of Imo state government for allegedly diverting the sum of N2bn bailout meant for the payment of salary arrears of the state’s civil servants.
The suspects are Obi Paschal Chigozie, principal secretary to the governor of Imo state; Uzoho Casmir, director of finance; and Iheoma Kenneth, treasurer, according to a press release by the EFCC issued on Thursday, March 2, 2016.
“Their arrest followed an investigation into the alleged diversion of the said money which revealed that, the cashier had made cash withdrawal of N456.532m between September 3, 2015 and October 10, 2015 from the government house account domiciled in Zenith Bank,” the statement said.
“However, it was revealed that the said amount was given to an aide of the chief of staff to the governor, following approval and directive by the principal secretary to the governor.”
The anti-graft agency revealed that investigation are on-going, but also said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of the investigations.
