Ex-commissioner Arrested By EFCC In Imo

The immediate past commissioner for Local Government Affairs in Imo State, Mr Jerry Okolie, has reportedly been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Two directors of account and general services and treasurers of two local councils were also said to have been arrested by the anti-graft agency. EFCC operatives, according to an Imo State civil service source, had severally been visiting the state to probe reports of alleged fraud perpetrated by the state government. “In this instance, the EFCC operatives stormed the Commissioners’ Quarters, situated along Concorde Avenue, Owerri, on Tuesday and arrested the former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mr. Jerry Okolie, the source told Vanguard. Other ex-commissioners still staying at the quarters since they were sacked by the governor, the source said, quickly fled the quarters. “The EFCC operatives truly encountered stiff resistance from security personnel at the premises but were eventually allowed to carry out their assignment when they properly identified themselves and their mission,” the source said. The arrest of the former commissioner, it was learnt, may not be unconnected to petitions sent to the anti-graft agency on the alleged embezzlement of local council funds in the state.