EFCC arrests ex-Kwara governor, investor for alleged fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the immediate past Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed and quizzed him for about seven hours.

Sources at the anti-graft agency disclosed that the former governor was being grilled by a crack team of operatives at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.

Ahmed reportedly arrived at the EFCC headquarters about 10 a.m. yesterday, in response to the invitation by the agency.
Though details of the case are still sketchy, as, at press time, sources disclosed that it was connected to N9 billion allegedly diverted from the state government’s coffers during his tenure as governor of Kwara between 2011 and 2019, and his time as commissioner for finance in the administration of Bukola Saraki.

EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that the former governor responded to the commission’s invitation but declined further comment.

Also, operatives of the Uyo Zonal Office of EFCC, at the weekend, arrested the Managing Director of Stewardship Rural Investment Limited, Stacy-Dan Ekpenyong (alias Daniel Ekpenyong), for allegedly obtaining N11.5m by false pretence.
Ekpenyong was arrested at Keystone Bank, University of Uyo branch, Akwa Ibom State, following an allegation by Titilayo Malgwi that the 36-year-old suspect tricked her into investing in his Micro Finance Company.

Malgwi claimed that she paid N11m into the suspect’s company account after he convinced her that she would get 10 per cent interest on any amount invested after three months.

When it was time for her to start reaping from her investment, the complainant severed communication with her and efforts made to get her money back proved abortive.

However, the commission had been on the trail of the suspect since December 18, 2020, when it first received a petition against him from Amasi Ignatus, whom the suspect allegedly defrauded of N500,000 through the same scheme. Uwujaren said Ekpenyong made useful statements and would be charged to court as soon they conclude the investigation.