EFCC storms NBC in search of Account officers; ...carts away vital documents

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) monday stormed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in search of its account officer.

The operatives, whose mission was to apprehend the Director of Finance, Mr. Patrick Areh and other senior officials, were disappointed as very they were not on seat.

The investigators however ransacked some offices, especially in the finance department and were said to have carted away vital documents.

Although details of the operation were sketchy at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that the team of investigators visited NBC in a bid to arrest Areh and others, but discovered that the directors were on leave.

It was also gathered that the leadership of the commissions, including the Director General, Mr. Emeka Mba, might have gotten wind of the operation and disappeared from the premises.

The investigators, who arrived at the commission around 11a.m., spent about four hours in search of documents, and interviewed some officials of the commission before they left at about 3p.m.

According a NBC source, “They came around 11a.m., one EFCC officer and two others dressed in police uniform. They requested to see some people, including the Director of Finance, Mr. Patrick Areh, but the director was on leave.

“They eventually went ahead to ransack offices and arrested a staff in the finance department. I wish I knew what they were looking for; probably they were acting on a tip-off. They came and mentioned the names of the people they wanted to speak with, some of them were around, while some were not around. Eventually they spoke with some people and searched the office.”

Upon enquiry, the EFCC however, feigned ignorance of the operation.

The spokesman of the agency, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said he was not aware that any staff from the commission visited the NBC. “I am not aware of such operation,” he said.


Credit: ThisDay