EFCC arrests ex-minister over $2.1bn arms deal fraud

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April 22, 2016 12:22 PM

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Finance Minister, Nenadi Usman in connection with the $2.1 billion arms deal fraud.

Nenadi Usman

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Mrs Usman was arrested by EFCC detectives on Thursday, April 21, 2016, according to Sahara Reporters.

She is reportedly being investigated over her alleged role in the withdrawal of billions of naira from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The money was allegedly paid into the accounts of six chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Goodluck Support Group (GSG).

“We may relocate her to Abuja but for now, she has been detained in Lagos. She was said to have received the sum of N2.5 billion out of the over N4 billion which was transferred out of Central Bank of Nigeria into various individuals and company’s accounts, also, the sum of N140 million cash was allegedly paid into her Zenith Bank Account in January 2015,” a source said.

“Some of these funds are said to have been traced to her personal account and her company’s account which she used to acquire properties in Abuja,” the source added.

“Mrs. Usman was the Director of Finance of the Presidential Campaign Committee for the re-election of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. At the prompting of the former President, N4billion was withdrawn from the CBN under the guise of security needs for disbursement to party chieftains,” another source said.

The cash was transferred into the account of Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited, a company traced to Mrs. Usman, where it was later shared by various individuals and organisations for purposes that are not stated. Nenadi, who made a statement to EFCC later, went abroad on an undisclosed mission,” the source added.

The EFCC has also confirmed the arrest of a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Dr Clement Illoh after a sum of N316 million was found in his bank account.

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