N1.9bn alleged fraud: Police Commissioner in EFCC custody

efcc-logoThe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and detained a Commissioner of Police, Victor Onofiok, over alleged N1.9 billion fraud.

The suspect, who was being detained at press time, was alleged to have favoured companies close to him in the award of contracts.

A top source in the anti-graft agency said: “A serving Commissioner of Police, Victor Onofiok, is being grilled by operatives of the EFCC over a N1.9 billion fraud.

“Onofiok, who is the CP Works at the Force Headquarters, was detained on November 30 after he was released for interrogation by the police.

“The officer, who has been CP Works since 2014, is alleged to have awarded contracts worth more than N1.9 billion to ‘companies’ in which he has interest.

“The companies include Dutse Allah Construction Ventures; Nne-Edak Technical Ventures; Puristic Adherent Company; Quality Watch Construction Company and Faksene International.

“These entities were found to be mere business names and not limited companies.”

As at press time, it was gathered that the EFCC was still trailing some likely accomplices of the suspect.

The source added: “So far, the CP is still in detention, but we cannot rule out likely accomplices. We are considering all clues.

“I can assure you that all those connected with the fraud will be brought to book.

“We have however intensified investigation.”

A police source said: “Based on a request to the IGP, Onofiok, who was elevated to the post of CP on January 23, 2014, was released to EFCC.

“We are awaiting the outcome of the police preliminary investigation before we can talk of the next disciplinary action against him.”

The uncovering of the N1.9bn fraud at the Force Headquarters came about 11 years after a former Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun, was arrested and tried for N5.7 billion fraud.

Meanwhile, the Chairman Senate Committee on Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption, Senator Chukwuma Utazi, has assured the EFCC of the Senate’s support to ensure release of appropriated funds by the Federal Ministry of Finance toward the completion of the Commission’s head office complex.

Utazi, who made the pledge while inspecting the project, expressed satisfaction with the quality of work so far done.

“The quality of work done by Julius Berger is impressive,” he said.

A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, quoted Utazi as saying: “From the information we have got, N5 billion has been released, and we will ask the ministry of finance and budget office to ensure that the outstanding N2 billion that they are holding is released to the contractors so that they can push this job.

“We want that money released so that before we start looking at 2017 budget, we will have been done with the 2016 budget.

“It is very important that we are not just seen as saying we want to fight corruption. Even though we know we are tight on finances, this is of primary importance to us.”

Utazi expressed concern about the current location of the EFCC, stating that the place has a lot of distractions, which may compromise the integrity of investigations.

He expressed the 8th Senate’s commitment to seeing that the project is completed on time.

Utazi was accompanied on the visit by other members of the Committee, including Senator Dino Melaye, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu and Senator Jide Omoworare

Facebook Comments Box
Copyright 2024 ROYAL NEWS. All rights reserved. Digital material on this website, may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from ROYAL NEWS.
 

For Adverts and News/Event Coverage, contact 08061346946, 07030849251. Or email info@royalnews.com.ng

Download ROYAL NEWS app

Html code here! Replace this with any non empty raw html code and that's it.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Subscribe

Popular News

Latest News

More like this
Related

Reason why Assistant Superintendent of Police Inspector Committed Suicide

An Assistant Superintendent of Police in Niger State, Shafi’u...

Abuse of power: Call IGP Egbetokun to order, CSO tells Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has been called upon to immediately...

Kwara Gov., Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq Follows Christian Pilgrims To Airport

......NCPC acknowledges Kwara Gov’s support Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq...

BREAKING…. Fubara loses suit against 27 pro-Wike lawmakers at Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has dismissed the suit by Rivers...

Good governance: Constructive collaboration better than needless confrontations –Abba Moro

The Minority Leader of the Senate , Senator Abba...

Court sentences University Professor to 3yrs jailterm for announcing falsehood election results

Professor Ignatius Uduk of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO)...

Emir of Ilorin rejoices with SEAP Chairman, Oladokun Olatunde at 60

The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Traditional...

Yakubu Garba Gobir: The New Sarkin Gobir and History

By Abubakar Imam Last Tuesday (February 4, 2025), the Emir...

Gov. AbdulRazaq inaugurates projects, donates operational vehicles at 22 Armoured Brigade Sobi

Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq on Monday inaugurated the...

Senate seeks N10bn to finance literacy development in capital market

The Senate through its Committee on Capital Market, on...

We’re getting nearer to an agreement with Twitter – Lai Mohammed

Minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed has announced...

DMO: Nigeria’s debt to hit ₦‎77 trillion by May

The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will be leaving...

APC comments on Jonathan endorsement of Fayose flyover senseless – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has...

Stop donating children to Boko Haram – NCWS

By Dorcas Jonah National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), has...

10,000 opposition members defect to APC in Kwara

No fewer than 10,000 defectors from opposition political parties...

Senate proposes institute for quality security services

In a bid to further address security situation and...

Sultan laments social media effect on Nigerian girls

By Bashir Rabe Mani The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad...

GRV is a fastastic guy with no experience in corruption– Peter Obi

Labour Party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi endorsed Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour,...

I will consult with Soludo to help me – Peter Obi

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party...

Governor sacks 51 workers for boycotting screening

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has removed names...