Is the managing director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo on the run from the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)?
This was the question on the lips of many in the business circle on Wednesday as news filtered in that operatives of the anti-graft commission has taken into custody Chris Ezem, who stood as surety for the Fidelity Bank boss.
YOU CAN ALSO READ: http://globalfinancialdigest.com/2018/12/12/nigerias-anti-graft-agency-efcc-may-declare-fidelity-bank-ceo-wanted/
YOU CAN ALSO READ: http://globalfinancialdigest.com/2018/12/12/nigerias-anti-graft-agency-efcc-may-declare-fidelity-bank-ceo-wanted/
A report by an online news portal, Premium Times claimed that the chief executive of Fidelity Bank, Okonkwo has jumped the administrative bail granted him by the commission.
Ezem was arrested by EFCC operatives on Wednesday after Okonkwo failed to report to the commission’s office, the report disclosed.
“The [Fidelity Bank] CEO failed to report to be served his charges,” Premium Times quoted a source at the EFCC who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak on the matter.
Okonkwo is facing a 14-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering alongside a former director at First Bank, Dauda Lawal, before a federal judge.
According to the EFCC, the suspects alongside Lanre Adesanya and Stanley Lawson, conspired with former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to conceal $153 million in 2015.
The anti-graft agency often grants administrative bail to suspects who are being investigated and requires them to physically report periodically to the commission’s office.
A suspect is deemed to have jumped administrative bail if the person fails to physically present himself/herself on any of the agreed times.
“The implication is that the surety will be charged to court,” the source continued.
“And at the next adjourned date, if he (Okonkwo) still has not reported to the commission, they can get a bench warrant and declare him wanted.”
When contacted, Tony Orilade, the EFCC acting spokesperson, confirmed the development saying the surety would be charged to court if Okonkwo fails to produce himself.
“The person he (Mr Ezem) stood bail for has disappeared and all efforts to invite him… he has refused to honour the invitation extended to him,” Orilade told PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday night.
“It is important for Nigerians to know the implication of standing as surety for anybody.”
On Monday, when the matter came up at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court, Mr Okonkwo was absent in court.
He was also not represented by a lawyer.
The matter was thereafter adjourned till December 14 to enable the to EFCC serve the charge sheet to all the defendants.
“It is important for Nigerians to know the implication of standing as surety for anybody.”
On Monday, when the matter came up at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court, Okonkwo was absent in court.
He was also not represented by a lawyer.
The matter was thereafter adjourned till December 14 to enable the to EFCC serve the charge sheet to all the defendants.
According to the EFCC, the suspects alongside Lanre Adesanya and Stanley Lawson, conspired with former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to conceal $153 million in 2015.
The anti-graft agency often grants administrative bail to suspects who are being investigated and requires them to physically report periodically to the commission’s office.
A suspect is deemed to have jumped administrative bail if the person fails to physically present himself/herself on any of the agreed times.
“The implication is that the surety will be charged to court,” the source continued.
“And at the next adjourned date, if he (Okonkwo) still has not reported to the commission, they can get a bench warrant and declare him wanted.”
When contacted, Tony Orilade, the EFCC acting spokesperson, confirmed the development saying the surety would be charged to court if Okonkwo fails to produce himself.
“The person he (Mr Ezem) stood bail for has disappeared and all efforts to invite him… he has refused to honour the invitation extended to him,” Orilade told PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday night.
“It is important for Nigerians to know the implication of standing as surety for anybody.”
On Monday, when the matter came up at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court, Mr Okonkwo was absent in court.
He was also not represented by a lawyer.
The matter was thereafter adjourned till December 14 to enable the to EFCC serve the charge sheet to all the defendants.
“It is important for Nigerians to know the implication of standing as surety for anybody.”
On Monday, when the matter came up at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court, Okonkwo was absent in court.
He was also not represented by a lawyer.
The matter was thereafter adjourned till December 14 to enable the to EFCC serve the charge sheet to all the defendants.
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