Chris Ezem:Â The EFCC has taken into custody the surety of the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, after the suspect allegedly jumped the administrative bail granted him by the commission, SOJWORLD.COM has learnt.
Chris Ezem, who stood as surety for the Fidelity Bank boss, was arrested by EFCC operatives on Wednesday after Okonkwo failed to report to the commission’s office.
“The Fidelity MD failed to report to be served his charges,â€
a source at the commission who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak on the matter revealed.
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Okonkwo is facing a 14-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering alongside a former Director at First Bank, Dauda Lawal, before a federal judge.
According to the EFCC, the suspects alongside Lanre Adesanya and Stanley Lawson, conspired with former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to conceal $153 million in 2015.
The anti-graft agency often grants administrative bail to suspects who are being investigated and requires them to physically report periodically to the commission’s office.
A suspect is deemed to have jumped administrative bail if the person fails to physically present himself/herself on any of the agreed times.
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“The implication is that the surety will be charged to court,†the source continued.
“And at the next adjourned date, if he (Okonkwo) still has not reported to the commission, they can get a bench warrant and declare him wanted.â€
When contacted, the EFCC acting spokesperson, Tony Orilade confirmed the development saying the surety would be charged to court if Okonkwo fails to produce himself.
“The person he Chris Ezem stood bail for has disappeared and all efforts to invite him… he has refused to honour the invitation extended to him,†Orilade told PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday night.
“It is important for Nigerians to know the implication of standing as surety for anybody.â€
On Monday, when the matter came up at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court, Mr Okonkwo was absent in court.
He was also not represented by a lawyer.
The matter was thereafter adjourned till December 14 to enable EFCC to serve the charge sheet to all the defendants.
www.sojworld.com (c) December 13, 2018
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