EFCC probes Chime's N13.6b secreteriat project in Enugu

    Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission has begun a full-scale
investigation into the ongoing
N13.6bn Enugu State secretariat
project.
The anti-graft agency's zonal office
in Enugu in November 2012 had
carried out preliminary
investigation into the secretariat
project, following a petition by the
Coordinator of Congress for
Progressives Change in Enugu
State, Mr. Osita Okechukwu.
The state government had
approved N13.6bn for the project
while Arab Contractors Limited
won the contract.
During the preliminary
investigation, which took place
while Governor Sullivan Chime was
away on prolonged medical
vacation, the then Accountant-
General, Eunice Ugwu, reportedly
told EFCC investigators that the
project would cost N8bn and not
N13.6bn as claimed by the
petitioner.
She also allegedly told the
investigators that government only
released money for the feasibility
studies and demolition of old state
secretariat, which were provided
for in the 2012 budget.
However, immediately the
governor returned to the country
on February 8, Ugwu was
redeployed to the Civil Service
Commission as a Permanent
Secretary.
Our correspondent gathered that
based on findings made from the
preliminary investigations, the anti-
graft agency's office in Abuja has
re-opened the case file for another
round of inquiry.
Our correspondent on Sunday
obtained a copy of the EFCC
invitation extended to Okechukwu
through his lawyers, T.M. Eke and
Associates of Magnolia Chambers,
Enugu, to appear at the
commission's Abuja office on
Wednesday, April 18.
The letter read, "Investigation
Activities Re-Petition against the
Accountant General of Enugu State. You may recall that you wrote a petition dated September 18, 2012 on behalf of your client, Congress for Progressives Change against the Accountant-General of Enugu State.
"In view of the above, you are
kindly requested to inform your
client to report for an interview
with the undersigned through Mr.
Chris Owobu on April 18, 2013 at
No 5, Block C, Fomella Street, Off
Adetokumbo Ademole Crescent,
Wuse II, Abuja, by 1000hrs. Your
cooperation in this regard is highly
solicited please."
The Head, Economic Governance,
EFCC, Olufunke Adetayo, signed the invitation letter. When contacted on telephone,
Okechukwu confirmed that he
received an invitation through his
lawyer to appear at the EFCC Abuja
office on Wednesday for an
interview.