Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Mr. Austin Umahi, the younger brother of the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Dave Umahi.
He was arrested over allegations that he collected N400 million from the Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential Campaign Organisation. Umahi was arrested on Monday alongside Chinyere Egwuche and Mabel Dikibo. A source at the commission informed New Telegraph that the suspects, who are employees of Brass Engineering and Construction Nigeria Ltd., as well as Osborn La-Palm Royal Resort, were picked up upon their alleged refusal to appear before a team of detectives investigating these companies’ involvement.
It was further gathered that the young Umahi may be the chairman of both companies, while Egwuche and Dikibo are said to be signatories to the companies’ accounts.
It was also alleged that the two companies may be owned by the governor. According to the source, the N400 million was released to the Ebonyi State chapter of the PDP, by the Director of Finance of the party’s campaign organisation, Mrs. Esther Nenadi Usman.
The fund, which was allegedly lodged in a new generation bank, was said to have been moved to another bank, from where it was allegedly moved to the accounts of the companies under investigation. “The EFCC, on Monday, August 29, arrested one Austin Umahi, brother to the current governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, along with two others: Chinyere Egwuche and Mabel Dikibo over a N400 million slush fund linked to 2015 Presidential Campaign of the PDP.
“The suspects, all staff of Brass Engineering & Construction Nigeria Limited and Osborn La- Palm Royal Resort, were arrested, following their refusal to collect and honour invitation by the EFCC, for questioning in an ongoing investigation involving both companies.
“While Austin Umahi doubles as the chairman of both companies, Chinyere Egwuche and Marbel Dikibo are also signatories to the companies’ accounts. “Investigations by the Commission revealed that the sum of N400 million was released by the Director of Finance, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Senator Nenadi Usman, to PDP Ebonyi State, for the 2015 presidential election,” the source said.
He further alleged that: “One of the suspects, Chinyere Egwuche subsequently withdrew the N300 million paid into the account of Osborn La- Palm, which according to her was used to finance further construction of Osborn La-Palm Hotels in Abakaliki, Uburu and Port Harcourt, while the N100 million paid into the account of Brass Engineering & Construction Nigeria Limited was transferred to a certain David Umahi Faith Foundation.” An official at the EFCC’s Enugu zonal office, Mr. Chris Oluka, confirmed the arrest to New Telegraph yesterday.
– New Telegraph
