Recovered loot not owned by Esther Ogbue - EFCC

An impeccable source in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has hinted our correspondent that the huge cash found at a flat located in downtown Lagos does not belong to Mrs Esther Ogbue as reported by a section of the media.


The reliable source said the amount was found in a flat in the at Osborne Road but not in the flat of the woman "We actually visited the home of Mrs Ogbue, ransacked the entire home but nothing incriminating was found. We do not know how a section of the media decided to name her.

There is no official statement yet from EFCC. But I can assure you the money was not found in her home" the top official of the EFCC told our correspondent in an inquiry this late afternoon. Another police source hinted our correspondent that some influential people in the government appear to be using the EFCC to even scores.

"I can tell you that a section of the EFCC has become a political tool. They are working in collaboration with top NNPC officials to hunt certain individuals perceived as their agelong foes", the source told our correspondent listing the Anambra-based politician Ifeanyi Uba as one of the individuals involved in the high-pitched scheme.

This morning the EFCC announced that $38,000, 23 million naira and another £27million were found in an apartment located at Osborne Tower, Ikoyi in Lagos. In a related development,Emeka Etiaba, SAN lawyer to Mrs Ogbue dismissed the report that the slush funds were found in her home.

In a statement this afternoon he stated "we inform the public (especially the News Media) that the said sums of money and/or the apartment where the sums of money were found do not belong to Our Client."

He said Mrs Ogbue was as shocked as many other Nigerians at the uncovering and recovery of the said sums of money and wishes to salute the courage and efforts of the EFCC in the war against corruption.

"She also wishes to commend the whistle blowing policy introduced by the Federal Government in the fight against corruption which policy has resulted in large scale uncovering and recovery of monies and assets."

Etiaba said "It is Our Client’s belief that the source and ownership of the said uncovered sums of money is known or eventually will be known by the EFCC in due course. There is therefore no need for conjecture or speculation."

Residents at Osborne Road who know Mrs Ogbue describe her as a committed Christian who has been living a quite live of discipline and high moral tenets" who will never get herself involved in corruption.