2 December 2008
Lagos — Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared five officials of the Rivers State Government wanted for alleged misappropriation, money laundering and fraudulent diversion of funds to the tune of N3.6 billion.
A statement issued by EFCC's Head of Media and Publicity gave the names of the wanted officials as Mr. Robert C. Aya - Permanent Secretary, Government House, Port Harcourt; Mr. Fubara Kingsley Hart - Director of Finance and Admin, Government House, Port Harcourt.
Mr. Harrison B.A. Princewill- Government House Staff, Port Harcourt, Mr. Nathan Wike- Government House Staff, Port Harcourt. and Mr. Bright Ikonwa- Cashier, Government House, Port Harcourt.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has described the EFCC's declaration as "a gross violation and total disregard of a subsisting court order."
A statement signed by the Media Consultant to the Rivers state Governor, David Iyofor, stated: "We have a Federal High court order restraining the EFCC from doing anything on the matter until the substantive matter is determine. The order is very clear that EFCC cannot harass, arrest or declare wanted, any official of the Rivers State government.
"Also, we are aware that the legal department of EFCC has advised the operations department not to go ahead and declare our state officials wanted, because of the subsisting court order. The wicked decison to declare them wanted is aimed at embarassing the governor, government and people of Rivers State. "They just want to embarass us.This act by EFFC shows clearly that it has no respect or regard for court orders, rule of law and due process."
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