Senator Bassey Akpan
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Senator Bassey Akpan (PDP-Akwa Ibom North-East) for allegedly receiving autos value N303m from oil magnate, Babajide Omokore, who's underneath trial for alleged fraud.
According to an EFCC report, Akpan whereas serving as a Commissioner for Finance underneath the federal government of Senator Godswill Akpabio, allegedly gave contracts to Omokore value billions of naira.
It was gathered that Akpan was arrested by the anti-graft company on Tuesday, including that the autos have been believed to be kickbacks.
The EFCC Spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the arrest to the Punch.
On when the senator was arrested, he acknowledged, “Yes, he was brought in on Tuesday.”
An EFCC report revealed that the autos Akpan allegedly obtained from Omokore ranged from Range Rover luxurious vehicles to marketing campaign buses and vans that have been purchased with the proceeds of fraud.
The report accused Akpan of receiving autos value N303m from Omokore whereas he was the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance in addition to the Chairman of the Inter-ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee, whose job was to make sure that the federal government initiatives have been accomplished utilizing direct labour to avoid wasting cash for the state.
Two of Omokore’s firms — Bay Atlantic Energy and Sahel Energy — have been stated to have obtained contracts from the committee headed by Akpan.
The report stated, “Senator Bassey Akpan obtained a BMW X5 BP value N50m; an Infinity QX56BP value N45m; a Range Rover value N40m; three Toyota Hiace buses value N27m; two Toyota Hiace high-roof buses value N16m, six Toyota Hilux D cabin autos value N42m in addition to different autos value N83m.
“He obtained the autos from Omokore whereas heading a committee which was giving contracts to the identical Omokore.
“He has been invited on several occasions but he has refused to show up.”
The lawmaker had, nonetheless, denied receiving kickbacks from Omokore, insisting that the businessman was his buddy
“The vehicles are gifts from Jide Omokore on the need to ensure my personal safety. I have known him for 19 years. They are also contributions to my governorship campaign in 2014,” Akpan had stated.