Former National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ray Nnaji has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of compromising on its ongoing corruption investigation of ex- Governor Sullivan Chime's administration.
Nnaji made the accusation during an interview with journalists in Enugu on Thursday.
As stated by Nnaji, a one-time Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Enugu State, it was reliably gathered from his contacts at EFCC Headquarters in Abuja that Chime sneaked into the place on Wednesday and spent twelve hours, yet the anti-graft agency did not deem it fit to let the public know what transpired.
He noted that EFCC publicized such recent visits of other former governors like: Sule Lamido, Murtala Nyako, Ikedi Ohakim and even that of Toyin Saraki, wife of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, but that of Chime was inexplicably kept secret.
He equally noted that the visit of Chime's former Chief of Staff, Ifeoma Nwobodo and the state chairman of PDP, Ikeje Asogwa, who were being investigated with him, were also publicized.
His words: “I was very embittered when I learnt from my contacts at the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja that former Governor Chime sneaked into the place around 10am on Thursday and stayed until 10pm and yet the commission did not deem it fit to tell the public what transpired”.
“This same man (Chime) has boasted before now that he has strong contacts with the anti-graft agency, but he was quizzed by the EFCC for 2 hours and the agency did not care to let the press know what happened”.
“What is more? My contacts in EFCC told me that he is doing everything to weaken the investigation of his administration and that some officials of the commission are already collaborating with him in this regard.
“With his visit to EFCC yesterday shrouded in secrecy, what more evidence do I need to confirm that EFCC has compromised in the investigation of allegations of fraud and corruption against the immediate past administration in Enugu State led by Chime” Nnaji stated.
He warned President Muhammadu Buhari not to overlook what was happening in EFCC with regards to the Enugu investigation as it was capable of undermining his anti-corruption war.
Nnaji alleged that his life was being threatened for championing the investigation of activities of Chime administration, promising to make details of the threats on his life public in due course.
It will be recalled that Nnaji earlier filed an application before the Federal High Court Enugu, seeking for an order to compel EFCC to investigate the immediate past administration in Enugu State.
He filed the application sequel to an order of the Court made on July 2, 2015, granting him leave to apply to the Court for an order to compel EFCC to investigate Chime.
Joined as 1st to 15th respondents respectively in his suit no: FHC/EN/C5/147/2015 were: the EFCC, Code of Conduct Bureau, Sullivan Chime, his two sons, Nnamdi and Tochukwu, Chime former Chief of Staff, Government House Enugu, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo and Jide Chime.
Others are: Mrs. May Orji, former Managing Director of Enugu State Housing Corporation, Ikeje Asogwa who is now Acting State Chairman of PDP, Accountant General of Enugu State, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, the National Assembly and the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In the motion on notice, Nnaji sought among other reliefs an order of Mandamus, compelling EFCC, the 1st respondent to commence investigation of Chime, his two sons, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, Jide Chime, May Orji, Ikeje Asogwa and Dr Chukwuma Ujam with respect to their activities in office and affairs in Enugu State from June 2007 to May 2015-with a view to prosecuting them after investigation.
The PDP chieftain had in his petition to EFCC dated May 5, 2015, accused Chime of “Misappropriation of Public Funds worth over N12 billion and Forgery of Public Document, The (Supplementary Appropriation Law 2012) to cover up same."
The petitioner further also accused Governor Chime of inflation of some projects cost and stealing of public funds through Enugu State Project Development and Implementation unit of the Government, otherwise called and known as PDI.