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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a
popular Abuja socialite who is also a top official of the Nigerian Prisons
Service, Dr (Mrs) Imaobong Akon Esu-Nte. The suspect, a Grade Level
14 Officer with the Federal Ministry of Finance seconded to the
Nigerian Prison Service as Head, Capital Accounts, was picked up
Tuesday May 6 by operatives of the anti graft agency. And for several
hours, she was grilled by investigators over allegations bordering on
corruption, abuse of office and money laundering.
EFCC officials said they received tip-off regarding the suspect’s lifestyle
which was inconsistent with her position as a public servant on a
monthly salary of N121, 460 ($751).
The suspect owns several exotic cars and properties scattered over the
(Federal Capital Territory) Abuja. Among her properties is a palatial
mansion, a duplex with two-bedroom Boys Quarters at Sun City Estate,
Abuja and another duplex at Karu Extension, Abuja, which is nearing
completion.
Three luxury automobiles were recovered from her at the time of
arrest. They include a Mercedes Benz ML 350 4matic wagon, Mercedes
Benz GL 500 SUV and a Toyota Sienna.
EFCC sources said Imaobong's arrest was triggered by intelligence
report on suspicious inflow of huge funds into her account with a new
generation bank.
Close scrutiny of the account by investigators literally opened a can of
worms, as it came to light that the suspect is the promoter and
signatory to the accounts of three companies: Abasiaga Global
Resources Limited, Abasiono Nigeria Limited and Ememima Global
Ventures Limited, the companies were established after she was
posted to the Nigerian Prison Service and all the directors are her
children (Dr. Etsu Daniel, Eme Faith and Uwen David).
She is also the owner of two other companies- Darima Properties and
ID Petroleum
Sources revealed that several cash and cheque deposit into the
accounts of these companies and the personal account of Imaobong in
Zenith and Access bank could not be justified. The accounts of her
companies are said to have recorded an inflow of not less than
N200million between 2009 and now.
Another startling discovery by investigators for which the suspect has
failed to provide an explanation, is the nearly N60million she paid in
various tranches into the account of Redeem Christian Church of God,
a prominent pentecostal church in Karu, a suburb of Abuja. ‘There are
instances in which she paid N5m, N7m and N6m into the church’s
account. Obviously this cannot be tithe an EFCC investigator told
SaharaReporters.
She must explain the source of the funds and the purpose for which
the payments were made”, one of the investigators who pleaded not to
be named because he was not authorized to speak on the matter said.
Equally shocking, is the discovery of five names that consistently (on
monthly basis) paid money into the private accounts of Imaobong at
Zenith and Access bank since she arrived at the Nigerian Prisons
Service as Head, Capital Accounts.
At press time, the socialite was still facing interrogators, unable to
explain her sudden wealth. Sources informed SaharaReporters that she
told her interrogators that she made her money doing contracts,
contrary to provisions of the public service rule that forbids a serving
officer to establish companies or prospect for contracts.
Spokesman of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren while confirming the arrest
warned public officers engaged in corrupt practices to desist or risk
the wrath of the law. He said the agency was determined to ensure
that officers who abuse their positions for self enrichment are brought
to book.
He equally pleaded with the members of the public to stop celebrating
corruption by asking questions when it is obvious that the lifestyle of
certain persons can not be supported by their known sources of
income.
popular Abuja socialite who is also a top official of the Nigerian Prisons
Service, Dr (Mrs) Imaobong Akon Esu-Nte. The suspect, a Grade Level
14 Officer with the Federal Ministry of Finance seconded to the
Nigerian Prison Service as Head, Capital Accounts, was picked up
Tuesday May 6 by operatives of the anti graft agency. And for several
hours, she was grilled by investigators over allegations bordering on
corruption, abuse of office and money laundering.
EFCC officials said they received tip-off regarding the suspect’s lifestyle
which was inconsistent with her position as a public servant on a
monthly salary of N121, 460 ($751).
The suspect owns several exotic cars and properties scattered over the
(Federal Capital Territory) Abuja. Among her properties is a palatial
mansion, a duplex with two-bedroom Boys Quarters at Sun City Estate,
Abuja and another duplex at Karu Extension, Abuja, which is nearing
completion.
Three luxury automobiles were recovered from her at the time of
arrest. They include a Mercedes Benz ML 350 4matic wagon, Mercedes
Benz GL 500 SUV and a Toyota Sienna.
EFCC sources said Imaobong's arrest was triggered by intelligence
report on suspicious inflow of huge funds into her account with a new
generation bank.
Close scrutiny of the account by investigators literally opened a can of
worms, as it came to light that the suspect is the promoter and
signatory to the accounts of three companies: Abasiaga Global
Resources Limited, Abasiono Nigeria Limited and Ememima Global
Ventures Limited, the companies were established after she was
posted to the Nigerian Prison Service and all the directors are her
children (Dr. Etsu Daniel, Eme Faith and Uwen David).
She is also the owner of two other companies- Darima Properties and
ID Petroleum
Sources revealed that several cash and cheque deposit into the
accounts of these companies and the personal account of Imaobong in
Zenith and Access bank could not be justified. The accounts of her
companies are said to have recorded an inflow of not less than
N200million between 2009 and now.
Another startling discovery by investigators for which the suspect has
failed to provide an explanation, is the nearly N60million she paid in
various tranches into the account of Redeem Christian Church of God,
a prominent pentecostal church in Karu, a suburb of Abuja. ‘There are
instances in which she paid N5m, N7m and N6m into the church’s
account. Obviously this cannot be tithe an EFCC investigator told
SaharaReporters.
She must explain the source of the funds and the purpose for which
the payments were made”, one of the investigators who pleaded not to
be named because he was not authorized to speak on the matter said.
Equally shocking, is the discovery of five names that consistently (on
monthly basis) paid money into the private accounts of Imaobong at
Zenith and Access bank since she arrived at the Nigerian Prisons
Service as Head, Capital Accounts.
At press time, the socialite was still facing interrogators, unable to
explain her sudden wealth. Sources informed SaharaReporters that she
told her interrogators that she made her money doing contracts,
contrary to provisions of the public service rule that forbids a serving
officer to establish companies or prospect for contracts.
Spokesman of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren while confirming the arrest
warned public officers engaged in corrupt practices to desist or risk
the wrath of the law. He said the agency was determined to ensure
that officers who abuse their positions for self enrichment are brought
to book.
He equally pleaded with the members of the public to stop celebrating
corruption by asking questions when it is obvious that the lifestyle of
certain persons can not be supported by their known sources of
income.
