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EFCC Arrests Former House Of Reps Speaker Over Alleged Contract Fraud

Published

3 years ago

May 18, 2022.

Yinka Akanbi

Etteh, who is currently in the custody of the EFCC was arrested over a shady ₦240m contract awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission
According to an official of the commission, she has been unable to explain why the firm transferred ₦130m to her out of the money

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Patricia Etteh, former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Etteh, who is currently in the custody of the commission was arrested over a shady ₦240m contract awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The former Speaker was said to have received ₦130m through her personal account from Phil Jin Project Limited, a firm that was awarded ₦287m contract by the NDDC in 2011, according to the PUNCH.

According to an official of the EFCC, Etteh has been unable to explain why the firm transferred ₦130m to her out of the money.

The EFCC official said “Etteh is currently in our custody. What happened was that in 2011, the NDDC awarded a contract of ₦240m to Phil Jin Project Limited for the supply of solar-powered street lights in some communities in Akwa Ibom.

“Shortly after the contract was awarded, the firm got ₦34m as an initial sum. Two weeks later, they received ₦253m, a total of ₦287m. This is despite the fact that the contract itself was worth ₦240m.

“Etteh is not a director in the company or a contractor. But the company paid her ₦130m. So, she was invited to explain what the money was for and she has been unable to do so. It is either the company is fronting for her or there are some shady deals. We cannot ascertain the execution of the contract in any case.”

FURTHER READING

Etteh was the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

She represented the Ayedaade/Isokan/Irewole Constituency of Osun State from 1999 to 2011.

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