EFCC Denies Claims Linking Suspect To Edo Election Tribunal

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed allegations that Jonathan Okunbor, a suspect under investigation for an alleged ₦6 billion fraud, was a witness in the ongoing Edo State election tribunal.

Naija News reports that the commission clarified that the suspect is not associated with the tribunal as claimed by the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo.

EFCC Refutes Ighodalo’s Claim

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, responded to a trending video suggesting that Okunbor had participated in the tribunal as a witness. Oyewale emphasized that Okunbor is not a witness for the PDP in the election case.

“The Commission wishes to state without any equivocation that Okunbor is not a witness of the Peoples Democratic Party in the election tribunal as claimed by Mr. Asue Ighodalo. Rather, he is a prime suspect connected to a case of misappropriation of funds involving all the 18 local government areas of Edo State,” Oyewale stated.

Investigations Into Okunbor’s Fraudulent Activities

The EFCC spokesperson provided further details on the ongoing investigations into Okunbor’s activities, revealing that the suspect is linked to the misappropriation of approximately ₦6 billion.

The funds were allegedly diverted to Kezmith Global Ventures, a company owned by Okunbor, which was operated under the false identity of Godfrey Emode.

“Ongoing investigations showed that about ₦6 billion was diverted to Kezmith Global Ventures owned by Okunbor. The suspect was running the ventures using the name and identity of Mr. Godfrey Emode,” Oyewale explained.

Oyewale disclosed that Emode’s arrest had led investigators to Okunbor, who was found at the Eterno Hotel during a pre-trial meeting.

The commission’s investigators were obstructed by Ighodalo and others present at the scene, who allegedly tried to prevent Okunbor’s arrest.

“In spite of this, Mr. Ighodalo and his co-travellers at Eterno Hotel prevented EFCC officers from carrying out their constitutional duty and obstructed them from arresting Okunbor. Specifically, Ighodalo insisted that Okunbor was his witness when it was obvious that he only wanted to aid his escape from the Commission’s investigators,” Oyewale stated.

Oyewale reaffirmed the EFCC’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, stating that the commission is focused on pursuing corruption charges, regardless of any political or tribunal affiliations.

“The EFCC remains committed to its adherence to the rule of law, and the Commission has no business with any Edo State election witness that has no corruption charge before it. The EFCC will not hesitate to bring anyone to trial, witness or no witness if it has a basis for doing so,” he added.

The EFCC urged the public to disregard the misleading claims and reassured them of its dedication to transparency and accountability in its operations.