EFCC detains Ondo governorship aspirant hours after primaries

Wale Akinterinwa, a governorship aspirant has been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A source who spoke to pressmen indicated that the former Ondo commissioner is being investigated for alleged mismanagement of billions of naira.

Akinterinwa contested the recent Ondo governorship primaries organized by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The anti-graft agency said the timing of Akinterinwa's detention was at its discretion even if he was allowed to participate in the just-concluded governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Akinterinwa was reportedly invited some weeks ago by the anti-graft body for interaction on some allegations but he did not honour the invitation until Thursday, April 18.

A source, who spoke with The Nation said: “In the past few weeks, the EFCC invited Akinterinwa for interrogation on the red flag on some issues during his tenure as Commissioner for Finance.

“The commission had the option to declare him wanted, but it exercised restraint to avoid being dragged into politics because he was an aspirant for the APC governorship primary."

“But Akinterinwa voluntarily reported to the EFCC in Abuja. He was taken into custody for quizzing. Akinterinwa is still in our custody. We did not arrest or pick him up, but he came up to respond to our long-overdue invitation. I can tell you that his detention has no political undertone.”