The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has quizzed a former presidential aspirant of the Nigeria Liberation Party (NLP), Chief Osita Emmanuel Okereke, over a case of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and extortion.
EFCC has fingered Okereke as alleged arrow head of a syndicate masquerading as members of a self-styled “National Task Force” set up to combat Importation and Smuggling of Small Arms, Ammunition and
Light Weapons.
The syndicate, which maintains offices in some of the country’s geo-political zones, allegedly defrauded unsuspecting members of the public by deceitfully selling recruitment forms to them at the cost of N5,000 each under the pretext of offering them employment with the federal government.
According to the EFCC, the racket was uncovered through intelligence report.
“After weeks of painstaking surveillance, operatives of the Commission stormed the 3rd Floor Federal Secretariat Complex, Independence Layout, Enugu, offices of the syndicate and arrested the Zonal Co-ordinator, Obinna C. Onyekwelu and nine others.
“The other suspects are: Ajuani Uchenna, Emmanuel Ngwu, Kenneth Ambrose, Ogunjimi Charles, Uzoamaka Ikwunne, Chinwe Ogbu, Onyia Fidelia, Eze Amobi and Anioke Obinna,” a statement from EFCC’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren stated.
Uwujaren in the statement made available to LEADERSHIP disclosed that several documents and cash were recovered after a search. The suspects according to the EFCC will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.
“The suspects have since been released on administrative bail after making useful statements. Okereke claims his National Taskforce was duly recognised by the government. However, the Commission’s investigation found no evidence of such registration.” EFCC said in the statement.