EFCC arrests Ebonyi Speaker over alleged N60m fraud

FROM PETRUS OBI, ENUGU
THE Economic and Finan­cial Crimes Commission, EFCC yesterday arrested the Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly Hon. Ognonnaya Francis Nwaif­uru for allegedly diverting N60 million meant for his constituency.
A statement signed by Ilupeju Jide of the Enugu Zonal headquarters of the anti graft agency disclosed that the Speaker was ar­rested at 11am when its of­ficials stormed the premises of Akanu Ibiam Interna­tional Airport, Enugu.
The statement explained that the arrest of Hon. Og­nonnaya Francis Nwaifuru was over an alleged diver­sion and misappropriation of over N60 million project fund for Izzi west constitu­ency which he represents.
The EFCC in the state­ment disclosed that as a member of the State House of Assembly representing the constituency, an invita­tion letter was sent to the Speaker on the 20th of Oc­tober 2015, which was re­ceived and acknowledged but the Speaker refused to honour the invitation.
“Also on the same note, a reminder dated 19th of November 2015 was sent to him but the Hon. Speak­er also refused to report at the Enugu Zonal Office of the Commission. Con­sequently, Operatives of the EFCC stormed Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and arrested him. He is however still in custody and being grilled by a team of operatives in charge of the case”, the statement added.