Enugu—Executive Chairman of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim
Lamorde, yesterday, in Enugu, said the
commission had cracked oil subsidy fraud in
which over N5 billion had been recovered and
more than 40 suspects arrested.
Lamorde, who disclosed this at a workshop on
effective reporting of financial crimes organized
by the commission for journalists in South-East
zone, also said a couple had been arrested in
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for allegedly
defrauding a new generation bank of N855
million.
Represented by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs
Department, Mr. Osita Nwajah, the EFCC chairman
said: “Cases abound in our offices across the six
zones of the country.
“In the oil subsidy fraud being investigated by the
commission, over N5 billion has been recovered,
while more than 40 suspects are being prosecuted
in court.
“In the pension fraud matter, the commission has
secured one conviction and recovered property
valued at over a billion naira.
“We need to pay attention to these cases. It is
not only when a former governor is arrested that
the media would be interested.
“As I speak, the commission is investigating a
case of fraud in a new generation bank in Port
Harcourt where a customer, working with his wife
who is a staff of a new generation bank,
defrauded the bank of N855 million.
“The suspect, one Ochenna Ogbonnaya Dike
cashed in on system glitches to perpetuate the
scam over a period of five months by transferring
funds from the bank into accounts in the new
generation bank.
“Other accomplices in the scam,” he went on, “are
currently on the run. But EFCC will get them as
we are determined to check all incidences of
fraud in the banking sector.
“I urge you (media) to take greater interest in
cases that are either being investigated or
prosecuted by the commission.
“Where media interest in corruption cases fizzles
out after arraignment is unhealthy.”
Vanguard.
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