EFCC Arrests First Bank MD, Nnamdi Okonkwo Over Fresh $72.8m Linked To Diezani

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the recently appointed Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria Holdings Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, as part of ongoing investigations of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

A statement by the EFCC on Wednesday said Okonkwo, who was a former Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, was arrested in connection with the $72.87 million linked to Diezani found in the coffers of the bank.

“As part of the ongoing investigations into the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested a former Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, allegedly over an additional $72, 870,000million still in the coffers of the bank.

“Okonkwo, who is currently the Chairman of First Bank Holding, alongside others, had earlier been grilled over a sum of $153million and $115million by the Commission.

“While all the $153 million was recovered by the EFCC, the cases involving $115million, as it relates with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, bribery matter, are in various courts.

“Okonkwo and Charles Onyedibe are currently being detained by the EFCC over the whereabouts of the new $72.8m,” the statement reads.

Diezani, who had fled the county shortly before former President Goodluck Jonathan handed over to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, is alleged to have stolen $2.5 billion from the Nigerian government while she was minister.

KanyiDaily recalls that the EFCC had also recovered $153m and 80 choice property valued at $80m from Diezani Alison-Madueke after she fled to London since leaving office in 2015.