EXCLUSIVE: EFCC Bars NDDC From All Financial Transactions

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has barred the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from all financial transactions over an alleged case of fraud in the commission, THE WHISTLER can report.

This is coming less than three weeks after the EFCC invited the Managing Director of NDDC, Professor Nelson Brambaifa, over alleged financial impropriety to the tune of N2.8 billion.

The anti-graft agency had also invited the commission’s Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the NDDC, Chris Oyirindah, after they allegedly withdrew the said sum in cash within a space of two weeks.

THE WHISTLER obtained a letter the EFCC wrote to NDDC bankers, where the anti-graft agency said it was “investigating a case of fraud, diversion of funds and money laundering in which the above-named agency (NDDC) featured”

“Preliminary investigation reveals that funds are being diverted from the above account domiciled in the CBN to commercial banks.

“In view of the above, you are requested to henceforth, reject any payments instruction from the accounts of the Niger Delta Development Commission to accounts of corporate bodies domiciled in your bank until further notice to fore stale further diversion of the funds.”

“This request is made pursuant to Section 38 & 34 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and section 21 & 6 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, (as amended) 2011,” said the letter signed on behalf of Ahmed Lagos Zonal Head of the EFFC, Aminu Ado Aliyu.

Meanwhile, the Director of Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Mr Charles Odili, had earlier confirmed that the commission was being investigated by the EFCC.

“They were invited to make clarifications and you know that parastatals in this country; once in a while, they have to come to clear some grey areas. The EFCC does not know all things. So, there might be some financial things they might want to have full understanding of. I think that was why they were invited,” Odili had told Punch.

THE WHISTLER reached out twice to EFCC’s spokesperson, Tony Orilade, for comments on the development, but was yet to receive a response as of when this report was filed.