Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on
Wednesday, March 2, 2016 arrested three top officials of Imo State
government for allegedly diverting the sum of N2billion (Two Billion
Naira) bailout fund given to the state by the Federal Government for
payment of salary arrears of the state’s civil servants.
The suspects are Dr. Obi Paschal Chigozie, Principal Secretary to the
Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha; Uzoho Casmir, Director of Finance
and Iheoma Kenneth, Treasurer.
Their arrest followed an investigation into the alleged diversion of the
said money which revealed that, the cashier had made a cash withdrawal of
N456.532m between September 3, 2015, and October 10, 2015, from the
Government House account, domiciled in Zenith Bank.
However, it was revealed that the said amount was given to an aide to the
Chief of Staff to the Governor, following approval and directive by the
Principal Secretary to the Governor.
The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are
concluded.