Officers of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), have arrested one Christy Olabode, a level six officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), for diverting the sum of N70 million belonging to the Authority, into private accounts.
This is just as FAAN stated that it had also concluded plans to set up audit team to further investigate financial transaction in Accounts department where Olabode worked.
It added the objective of the audit is to carry out investigation on the activities of the personnel in the accounts and commercial departments, to close all loopholes on the sources of revenues and to ensure that all revenues are captured and accounted for
Meanwhile, the Authority said it has suspended Olabode, adding that the accused was said to have diverted the agency’s funds into different accounts of staff and others over certain period of time until they were discovered by the management.
The agency added that upon discovery, the management set up a committee which investigated the major suspect, who promptly named others involved in the fraud and they were swiftly suspended.
“It was when the committee drilled the main suspect who confessed that some of the monies were sent to her brother’s accounts that prompted the management to further invite more suspects who were subsequently suspended. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives who got wind of the matter decided to investigate it and have detained the prime suspects”.
FAAN said it would initiate a policy of rotating its personnel in the accounts and commercial departments every two years after the audit.
“No person would stay in one unit for more than that period of time”.
Olabode was alleged to have in August 2013 diverted funds the sum of N2,719,699.92,which was lodged into an Eco Bank with Account Number 2501016701, with the name of Paul Amaechi Ihedinihu, a level 14 officer.
In December 2013,Olabode also made a deposit of N2,719,699.92 into account number, 0059963039, with the name of Bright E. Ogbonna at Access Bank.
While N2, 719,699.92 was allegedly deposited in the name of Yahyah A. Sadiq in a Guaranty Trust Bank 0035237900.
Other deposits made by the suspect with names include: N1, 493,903.52 into another Guaranty Trust Bank account, 0113269817, in the name of Yunus Olaniyan Agboola. Ms. Olabode also funneled N2, 184,168.96 into a Diamond Bank account, 0031963629, in the name of Adamu Sanusi.
Other names used in the extensive scam included Hurso Muhammed Hurso, Nnamdi T. Onuchukwu, Haruna Umar, John Uwabuafia Ofodu, Godday Otunaya, Isaac Joel Okwodu, Blessing Inye Pepple, Habibu Abubakar Adamu, and Emmanual Gloria Ewoh.
Other banks where the illegal deposits were lodged are Oceanic Bank, Fidelity Bank, First City Monument Bank and First Bank.
