EFCC arrests OSOPADEC chair over alleged N61.63b fraud

By The Nation Reporter (Joseph Jibueze)

 

Ajimuda

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission yesterday said it has arrested the Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Communities Development Commission, (OSOPADEC), Mr Debo Ajimuda over alleged N61.363billion fraud. 
Ajimuda, who initially resisted arrest, was later picked up from hiding. 
According to a source in the commission, Ajimuda was “smoked out” by EFCC operatives in Akure, Ondo State . 
The source said: “Ajimuda and two officials of the oil Commission are wanted by the EFCC over a case of alleged criminal diversion and embezzlement of public funds. 
“Ajimuda claims to have spent N61.363billion between 2001 and 2011 but this is said to be a far cry from the over N100billion received by the commission within the same period. 
“The petitioners alleged that the projects claimed to have been executed by the Commission were either abandoned or do not exist at all. 
“The focus of EFCC investigation is to recover all contract documents and payment details in respect of all jobs executed. It is also to verify whether the jobs were actually executed. 
“Ajimuda, who initially resisted arrest was smoked out of his hiding by the anti-graft agency. He is being taken to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja for interrogation.” 
The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the arrest. 
He said: “He is with us to clarify some issues.”