For shooting itself on the foot, by the self indicting process of accusing the former Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso of taking bribe, the Governor Rochas Okorocha’s administration has invited the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC into Imo State again.
The first time the EFCC invaded Imo and carted away some top officials of the Government, the Okorocha administration accused the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as the brain behind the EfCC invasion.
However, following the N458m scam which led to the sack of Sir Jude Agbaso, by JPross Ltd, which has dominated the airwaves in the last few weeks, the EFCC needed no body to invite it into Imo State to come and see by itself, as the Okorocha administration had already indicted itself of corruption.
Imo Trumpeta learnt that the financial crime fighting outfit has been in town for the past three days, waiting for the outcome of the impeachment process against the Deputy Governor, before it would pounce.
This Newspaper learnt that apart from Sir Jude Agbaso, other regular visitors to the Commission from the state will not be spared this time. They include Deacon Chike Okafor, the Commissioner for Finance and Mr George Etche, the Accountant General of the State.
However, new names that would be invited by EFCC are Dr Paschal Obi, the Principal Secretary to the Governor, and Mr Alex Nlemedu, the Permanent Secretary, in the Ministry of Works.
It was learnt that the EFCC is in the state specifically to probe the alleged N458m bribe scam rocking the state.
Imo Trumpeta learnt that the organization has resolved to look into the matter dispassionately by carrying out their investigation to the root of the matter.
It was learnt that the EFCC is digging into the ownership of JPross Ltd as a company, to know if it is properly registered, and those who owe shares in the company.
This will lead to how Imo State Government awarded one billion, one hundred and fifty million naira three kilometre road contract to JPross.
The Body will also investigate how much has been paid so far to the company, and who received what.
This, we learnt, was how Dr Paschal Obi and Mr Alex Nlemedu came into the picture, as the EFCC personnel believe that both men are important to the matter, as they are Civil Servants, and not politicians, and therefore will tell them the truth.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that Sir Jude Agbaso is happy with the arrival of the EFCC as he believes that he would be vindicated, having sworn an oath with his children that he never took any cash from Mr Joseph Dina, but only a “Bloody Bottle of Black Label”.
