EFCC releases justice ministry’s director

An indication as to why a director in the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mrs. Chinyere Ekweonu, was held by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for nearly two weeks has come to light, even as she was released at the weekend into the warm embrace of her family.

It was gathered that it might not be unconnected with the bitter ownership struggle among former political friends who became business partners in the ownership of a Pension Fund Administrator, First Guarantee Pension Limited.

Ekweonu stood surety for a former member of the House of Representatives, Nze Chidi Duru, and when he could not be found, she was slammed into detention in his stead.

Last week, her family in a statement signed by Stella Duru, and published in The Guardian had frowned at her detention and called for her immediate release.

Spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, declined to comment on the developments over the First Guarantee Pensions Limited, because as he said, “I don’t have information on it.”

But sources said that a House of Representatives member; and two others are wanted for allegedly diverting a huge sum running into millions belonging to First Guarantee Pension Limited.

One of them is said to have diverted N16 million, an equity contribution by a South African firm. He is said to have also allegedly collected N20.5 million as allowances without the approval of the board; and allegedly abused company property without board approval.

Moreover, the former prominent member of the National Assembly is accused of allegedly flouting the directive of the National Pension Commission, PENCOM, not to give a N31 million contract to another firm.