The Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) has arrested Timber Kesiye Wabote, the previous Government Secretary of the Nigeria Content material Growth and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in reference to an alleged $35 million fraud linked to the failed Brass Mission.
Wabote, who served as the pinnacle of the NCDMB from 2016 to 2023, was detained by the EFCC on Tuesday, following the sooner arrest of Mr. Akintoye Adeoye Akindele, the Managing Director of Atlantic Worldwide Refinery and Petrochemical Restricted. Akindele is being investigated for alleged misappropriation, cash laundering, and the diversion of public funds.
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The case revolves round a failed refinery challenge for which a staggering $35 million was paid. In line with EFCC investigators, Akindele, who proposed the challenge to the NCDMB, obtained the funds in 2020 to construct a refinery, fuel plant, energy plant, jetty, tank farm, and knowledge heart on the Brass Free Commerce Zone in Okpoama Group, Bayelsa State. Nevertheless, the challenge was deserted with minimal progress made.
The EFCC’s preliminary investigation revealed that below Wabote’s management, the NCDMB funded a variety of vitality infrastructure initiatives, together with the two,000-barrel-per-day refinery. Regardless of the substantial sum disbursed, the challenge reportedly confirmed little to no growth because the funds have been made.
Wabote is at the moment being held on the EFCC’s Abuja facility, and authorities are reportedly pursuing additional suspects in reference to the continuing probe.
Supply: The Nation