Friday, 17 June 2016

Ex-Custom Officers Detained Over N42Billion Fraud

Mr Dikko, who went underground since January 8 and a manhunt launched to trace him, eventually turned himself in at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday at about 10am.
The former Comptroller-General of Customs, Abdullahi Inde Dikko, is being held by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).The former customs boss was questioned over an alleged N42billion fraud.

Aside the alleged N42b fraud, the former top customs chief is being questioned over the sum of N2.6billion allegedly withdrawn from the coffers of the Nigeria Customs Service and remitted into the accounts of some companies floated by a former Assistant Comptroller General, who served under Dikko.

A source at the EFCC said Mr. Dikko is being investigated over two key allegations bordering on criminal conspiracy, diversion of public funds, theft, abuse of office and living above legitimate means.

Also of interest to the anti-graft investigators is the source of funds with which the former customs boss acquired the palatial mansion he owns on 1, Audu Ogbeh Street, Jabi, Abuja valued at over N2billion.

“There is also an allegation that he diverted over N40billion from Customs coffers. The funds were allegedly drawn from proceeds of the 7% cost of collection and 1% comprehensive import supervision scheme.

“There are lots of questions that he has to answer. Discreet investigation has been going on for months and this is the opportunity for him to clear the air on the allegation and other evidence that have emerged in the course of investigation”, the source said.

As at press time, he was being detained by the commission for the continuation of his interrogation today.

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