The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Sunday declared wanted the chairperson of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dele Oye, and a former aide to Cecilia Ibru, Nanashettu Bedell, in connection with the on-going investigation in the banking sector.
The commission’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said in a statement to journalists that the two associates of Mrs Ibru were wanted as part of its investigation into transactions made by the former boss of Oceanic Bank.
“Both suspects, who are close associates of the former MD/ CEO of Oceanic Bank, Mrs. Cecilia Ibru, are wanted for offences bordering on conspiracy, aiding and abetting and money laundering running into billions of naira,” Mr. Babafemi said.
The anti graft agency said the suspects were declared wanted after its efforts to have them honour the commission’s invitation failed.
It asked the public to aid the commission with information that could lead to their arrest.
“The Commission enjoins anyone with useful information that could lead to their arrest to contact any of its offices in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Gombe, Port Harcourt and Enugu,” the statement said
Mrs. Bedell, once a nanny to one of Mrs Ibru’s sons, was reported to have borrowed N13billion from Oceanic Bank under the control of Mrs Ibru.
Meanwhile, the EFCC has said the charges against bank executives will be filed today at the federal high court in Lagos and the arraignment will follow immediately.
Mr. Babafemi disclosed that if the presiding judge is available, the case will take place on Monday or on Tuesday.
“I cannot say which of the days for sure, because we will file the charges tomorrow and if the judge is chanced they will be arraigned the same day, or else it will be Tuesday. But it will be between Monday and Tuesday,” he said.
Also, the EFCC’s boss, Farida Waziri, and her team will remain in Lagos until the bank cases are settled, Mr. Babafemi said.
The first set of bank executives were arrested twelve days ago and last week Mrs. Ibru turned herself in.