Cross River Commissioner In EFCC Net Over Alleged Money Laundering

Anti-Graft Agency Says He was Invited, Not Arrested

By Matthew Ogune, Abuja
The Cross River State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Mfon Bassey, was on Thursday arrested by men of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

It was gathered that Bassey was arrested at his residence in Calabar and has since remained in detention at the EFCC’s Uyo Office.

Further investigation revealed that the commissioner was arrested in connection with allegations of fake contracts and forged documents to obtain funds for Governor Ben Ayade’s younger brother, Frank Ayade.

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Reliable sources within the anti-graft agency revealed to newsmen that the arrest became pertinent after the commissioner had refused to honour the several invitations extended to him by the commission.

It is also alleged that the Commissioner operated a proxy account with Unity Bank through which he allegedly siphoned public funds. His account officer at the bank was also said to have been apprehended by the anti-graft agency.

As at the time of filing this report, the commissioner was said to have refused to write any statement claiming, that he could not write.

But the spokesperson for the Commission, Wilsson Uwajaren when contacted, said that Bassey was only invited for questioning but not arrested.