The Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Prof (Mrs) Ndidi Okereke- Onyiuke, was yesterday questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over her involvement in the "Obama for Africa" campaign.

She was invited to clarify her role in the campaign following a petition submitted to the commission by Barrister Festus Keyamo.

Although the campaign organisation of Senator Barack Obama, known as Obama For America, had on August 8, 2008 dissociated itself from the activities of the organisation which reportedly raised N100 million at a dinner/concert in Lagos on Monday.

Okereke-Onyiuke, however, said that the fundraiser was not for Obama, maintaining that Obama is for the world and has been getting support from all over the world and so Nigerians shouldn't be left out.

She stated clearly that as a Nigerian, she had the right to do anything she desires, with her time and money.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the director had already been cautioned by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on her role in Africa For Obama.

The commission, in a letter to her, had warned that her role could compromise the professional standing and political neutrality of the NSE within and outside the country given her status as the Chief Executive Officer of the NSE.

The commission further added that government was aware of the strategic position of SEC and would therefore view with concern any activities that could compromise its political neutrality and urged the director to clarify her role in the campaign.

Meanwhile, LEADERSHIP gathered that Okereke, who was invited to the EFCC headquarters at about 2pm, was still being held as at press time.

The Head, Media and Publicity of the anti-graft agency, Mr Femi Babalola, confirmed the story last night in an interview with our correspondent.

Meanwhile, the director-general has denied the receipt of any letter from SEC demanding an explanation over her involvement in Africa For Obama fundraiser.

In a chat with LEADERSHIP, a close source in the office of the DG said that no letter emanating from SEC had arrived at the office as at 4pm yesterday, claiming that she only read it on the pages of newspapers.

The source said should there be such a letter, the proper thing for SEC to have done was to channel it to the person concerned rather than making it available to the press, which is "not good for the image of SEC itself."

SEC was reported to have queried the NSE DG over her involvement in the raising of about N100 million for Obama through a concert organised by Africa for Obama campaign organisation on Monday.

The purported letter was said to have emanated from the office of the DG of SEC and sent to editors of some media houses.

Earlier, Okereke-Onyiuke had said, "At no time did we say we were raising money for Obama. What we are saying is that Obama is for the world and he has been getting support from Europeans, from Arabs and from all over, and Nigerians should not be left out."

She added that no one was forced to attend the concert, adding that if there is a surplus from the event, it would be used to sensitize voters in the US.

"I want to make it clear that I am a Nigerian and I have the right to do anything I want with my time and money," she retorted.