N200 Million Prison Fraud: EFCC Arrests Prison Accountant Who Paid N60m Tithe To Redeemed Church

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the Head of Capital Accounts Unit of the Nigerian Prison Service, Mrs Imaobong Akon Esu- Nte, following suspicious lodgments of about N200 million into her accounts in the last five years.

The suspect, who is a Grade level 14 officer on second net to the Nigerian Prison Service from the Federal Ministry of Finance, is said to be earning N121, 460 per month.

She has also donated N60million to a Pentecostal church in different tranches before the lodgments were uncovered.

She is being investigated by the EFCC for alleged corruption, abuse of office and money laundering.

As at the time of filing this report on Wednesday, the suspect was battling for bail after about 36 hours in detention.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the suspect was arrested by EFCC operatives on Tuesday following financial intelligence report of a series of ‘curious’ lodgments into her account with a new generation bank.

It was discovered that five names had been used consistently (on monthly basis) to pay money into the private accounts of the suspect in Zenith and Access bank since she was seconded to the Prisons Service.

A reliable source in the anti- graft agency, said: “In the last 36 hours, we have been grilling the suspect whose lifestyle is said to be inconsistent with her position as a public servant on a monthly salary of N121, 460 (one hundred and twenty one thousand, four hundred and sixty naira).

“Preliminary findings showed that there had been ‘curious’ and suspicious inflows into her account. The suspect owns several exotic cars and properties scattered over the FCT.

“Close scrutiny of the account by investigators literally opened a can of worms, as it came to light that the suspect is the promoter and signatory to the accounts of three companies: Abasiaga Global Resources Limited, Abasiono Nigeria Limited and Ememima Global Ventures Limited.

“The companies were allegedly established after she was posted to the Nigerian Prison Service and all the directors are her children. She is also the owner of two other companies- Darima Properties and ID Petroleum.

“She is being probed for engaging in business contrary to provisions of the public service rule that forbids a serving officer to float companies or prospect for contracts.

“The EFCC investigators have been asking the suspect to explain how she came about the cash and cheque deposit into the accounts of these companies and her personal account in Zenith and Access bank.

“So far, the accounts of her companies are said to have recorded an inflow of not less than N200million between 2009 and now.

“Another startling discovery by investigators for which the suspect has failed to provide explanation, is the nearly N60million she paid in various tranches into the account of Redeemed Chritain Church in Karu, a suburb of Abuja.

“There were instances in which she paid N5m, N7m and N6m into the church’s account. Obviously this can’t be tithe.

She must explain the source of the funds and the purpose for which the payments were made”.

The EFCC source also claimed that investigators have retrieved exotic automobiles from the suspect following her arrest.

Under the EFCC Act, it can invoke Temporary Assets Forfeiture Clause pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation of the suspect.

The source added: “Among her properties is a palatial mansion, a duplex with two-bedroom Boys Quarters at Sun City Estate, Abuja and another duplex at Karu Extension, Abuja, which is nearing completion.

“Three top of the range automobiles were recovered from her at the time of arrest. They include a Mercedes Benz ML 350 4matic, Mercedes Benz GL 500 and a Toyota Sienna

The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren confirmed the arrest and the grilling of the suspect.

He said: “Our operatives arrested the suspect, who is undergoing interrogation. The EFCC warns public officers engaged in corrupt practices to desist or risk the wrath of the law.

“Thus commission is determined to ensure that officers who abuse their positions for self enrichment are brought to book.

“We urge members of the public to stop celebrating corruption by asking questions when it is obvious that the lifestyle of certain persons can not be supported by their known sources of income.”

 

By SaharaReporters, Newyork

N200 Million Prison Fraud: EFCC Arrests Prison Accountant Who Paid N60m Tithe To Redeemed Church