The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has detained the Chairman of Abeokuta Golf Resort, Chief Oluwole Olumide.
Olumide, a friend of the former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, went to the Ikoyi, Lagos office of the commission on Tuesday to clear the air on an investigation being conducted by EFCC.
After being quized for several hours, the anti-graft agency detained the architect, who was a consultant to the Daniel administration on major projects.
Although EFCC officials refused to state the nature of the investigation, it was however, learnt that it might not be unconnected with the resort hotel, which is generation controversy in the state.
The state Governor, Ibikunle Amosu had seized the 150-room hotel and revoked its documents, saying the land was illegally acquired.
Amosun had alleged that the hotel actually belonged to Daniel.
Also, Olumide was the lead consultant to the Abeokuta Business District project under the administration of Daniel.
The acting spokesman for the commission, Wilson Uwajaren, confirmed our correspondent on the telephone that Olumide was detained.
He said, “Yes, he was with us. I cannot give you the detail of the investigation, but we detained him and granted him bail today (Wednesday).”
Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Dr Dapo Sotiloye, on Wednesday denied allegation of fraud against him in the management of the hospital.
Sotiloye and three top officials, were reportedly arrested on Tuesday by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in connection with alleged embezzlement of N88m meant for the 2010 housing allowances of hospital the staff.
Addressing a news conference in Abeokuta, Sotiloye said he and other officials were only invited but not arrested.
The CMD, who was flanked by other management staff, added that some executive members of the hospital’s workers union were also invited by the ICPC.
He said, “The truth is that, acting on a petition sent to them, the ICPC officials invited me and some other management staff for questioning and we honoured the invitation. So, the question of we being arrested does not arise.
“The ICPC operatives questioned all of us after which they told us to go home and that if the need arises, they will invite us to come back.”
Stakeholders in the aviation sector have urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, to as a matter of urgency intervene in the ongoing aviation crisis, by probing its officials.
The stakeholders had made this call, after having reviewed the N255 million armoured car scam involving the Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA.
Speaking to newsmen on the stakeholder’s position, former National Secretary of the Airlines Operators of Nigeria, AON, Alhaji Mohammed Tukur, said that it was imperative the anti-graft agency come into the matter now that the sector is enmeshed in corruption.
“It is a sad situation because we have never had this level of corruption in this industry. The corruption in the Aviation Ministry is huge. It is not only NCAA that bought such vehicles. I can tell you on good authority that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, also bought some vehicles.
“That is why we are asking the anti-graft agencies to investigate these aviation parastatals. It is not only the Minister that is involved. If somebody asked you to do something illegal, why not resign, instead of doing it?” Tukur asked.
Tukur, who reiterated his trust in the ability of President Goodluck Jonathan to tackle the issue vehemently, said that his position in the matter was crucial to the popularity of his government, hence shielding those involved in the matter will tarnish his government’s image.
In a similar assertion, the National Cabin Crew Association, NACCA, expressed surprise over the purchase of the armoured cars. He had argued that, addressing security in the sector does not justify price inflation, affirming that the cost of the two vehicles was indefensible.
