EFCC Nets Fugitive, Obi Timothy Nwasike, Wanted For Fraud, Misappropriation

Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
yesterday arrested Obi Timothy Nwasike, a retired staff of Shell
Petroleum, who was wanted in connection with a petition that
accused him of fraudulent diversion and criminal
misappropriation.

Mr. Nwasike was arrested early Sunday morning as he arrived at
Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. An EFCC source told our
correspondent that the anti-agency had in August 2015 received a
petition from a firm, Continental Alarm Limited, alleging that Mr.
Nwasike fraudulently diverted and criminally misappropriated
contract proceeds paid into his account. The source further
disclosed that Mr. Nwasike ignored the commission’s invitation to
appear in its offices for questioning, preferring to go into
hiding.

“He refused to appear before our investigators, and had remained
at large since then,” said a law enforcement source, adding that
they believed the fugitive was holed up somewhere in the United
Kingdom.

Another source said Mr. Nwasike, accused of embezzling $115,000
belonging to Continental Alarm Limited, claimed through his younger
brother, a lawyer, that he could not respond to the EFCC’s summons
because of failing health. However, EFCC officials found proof that
the fugitive sneaked into Nigeria sometime in December 2015, but
failed to present himself at the commission.

Our correspondent learned that the EFCC confronted Mr. Nwasike’s
lawyer with evidence that his fugitive older brother had visited
and even went to Ecobank to withdraw $3,000. According to one of
our sources, Mr. Nwasike’s lawyer claimed that he was unaware that
his elder brother visited Nigeria, insisting that his client did
not owe him any obligation to report his movement within and
outside Nigeria. The fugitive’s $3000 withdrawal was reportedly the
last of the $115,000 that was paid into his account by Shell
Petroleum for the Videofied project executed by Continental
Alarm.

“This man refused to honor our invitation, claiming he was
suffering from renal disease, but he was well enough to go to
Ecobank to withdraw the last dollar from the contract proceeds he
is accused of diverting criminally,” one EFCC source said, adding
that the fugitive’s arrogant behavior earned him inclusion on a
watch list.

Our correspondent learned that Mr. Nwasike remains in the EFCC’s
custody following his arrest. One source disclosed that the
fugitive was arguing that he should be let go on account of his
purported ill health, a claim considered spurious by EFCC agents,
considering the suspect’s past conduct. “This is a man who has
shown disdain for the commission by refusing to respond to our
invitation, and now that he has been apprehended, he comes up with
the claim of sickness. We consider him a flight risk as he has
shown both a determination and ability to run and also hide,” one
source said.

Mr. Nwasike, who hails from Ogidi in Anambra State, was
disengaged by Shell apparently on account of acts of impropriety.
He also reportedly met the same fate when he worked for Global
Energy.

saharareporters

Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
yesterday arrested Obi Timothy Nwasike, a retired staff of Shell
Petroleum, who was wanted in connection with a petition that
accused him of fraudulent diversion and criminal
misappropriation.

Mr. Nwasike was arrested early Sunday morning as he arrived at
Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. An EFCC source told our
correspondent that the anti-agency had in August 2015 received a
petition from a firm, Continental Alarm Limited, alleging that Mr.
Nwasike fraudulently diverted and criminally misappropriated
contract proceeds paid into his account. The source further
disclosed that Mr. Nwasike ignored the commission’s invitation to
appear in its offices for questioning, preferring to go into
hiding.

“He refused to appear before our investigators, and had remained
at large since then,” said a law enforcement source, adding that
they believed the fugitive was holed up somewhere in the United
Kingdom.

Another source said Mr. Nwasike, accused of embezzling $115,000
belonging to Continental Alarm Limited, claimed through his younger
brother, a lawyer, that he could not respond to the EFCC’s summons
because of failing health. However, EFCC officials found proof that
the fugitive sneaked into Nigeria sometime in December 2015, but
failed to present himself at the commission.

Our correspondent learned that the EFCC confronted Mr. Nwasike’s
lawyer with evidence that his fugitive older brother had visited
and even went to Ecobank to withdraw $3,000. According to one of
our sources, Mr. Nwasike’s lawyer claimed that he was unaware that
his elder brother visited Nigeria, insisting that his client did
not owe him any obligation to report his movement within and
outside Nigeria. The fugitive’s $3000 withdrawal was reportedly the
last of the $115,000 that was paid into his account by Shell
Petroleum for the Videofied project executed by Continental
Alarm.

“This man refused to honor our invitation, claiming he was
suffering from renal disease, but he was well enough to go to
Ecobank to withdraw the last dollar from the contract proceeds he
is accused of diverting criminally,” one EFCC source said, adding
that the fugitive’s arrogant behavior earned him inclusion on a
watch list.

Our correspondent learned that Mr. Nwasike remains in the EFCC’s
custody following his arrest. One source disclosed that the
fugitive was arguing that he should be let go on account of his
purported ill health, a claim considered spurious by EFCC agents,
considering the suspect’s past conduct. “This is a man who has
shown disdain for the commission by refusing to respond to our
invitation, and now that he has been apprehended, he comes up with
the claim of sickness. We consider him a flight risk as he has
shown both a determination and ability to run and also hide,” one
source said.

Mr. Nwasike, who hails from Ogidi in Anambra State, was
disengaged by Shell apparently on account of acts of impropriety.
He also reportedly met the same fate when he worked for Global
Energy.

saharareporters