EFCC intercepts N49m at Kaduna airport

Arrests George Turnah over alleged N2b scam

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday intercepted a sum of N49 million in five large black 150-kilogramme sack bags at the Kaduna International Airport following a tip-off.

Through its twitter handle, @officialEFCC, the anti-graft agency said the cash was found during a routine luggage screening, as the five untagged bags, containing fresh bulky items suspected to be money, were sighted unattended.

Upon examination, they were found to contain crispy notes of N200 denomination in 20 bundles totalling N40 million as well as N50 denomination in 180 bundles amounting to N9 million naira with a seal purportedly emanating from the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc (NSPM).

The commission noted that investigation was in top gear to unravel the culprits. Meanwhile, a former Special Adviser to Mr. Dan Abia, erstwhile Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), George Turnah, has been arrested by the agency in Port Harcourt, Rivers State over alleged possession of funds running into N2 billion.

Preliminary investigations threw up deposits made in his personal and company’s bank accounts in excess of N2 billion. A search on his houses in Port Harcourt and Yenogoa, the Bayelsa State capital yielded useful documents.

The commission added that Turnah had made useful statements to allow for his arraignment at the conclusion of investigation anytime soon.