The Nigerian Police have absolved former Managing Director/CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Nsima Ekere of alleged diversion of $2.5 million.
Mr. Nsima Ekere alongside Messrs Techsel Products Limited, Mr. Idorenyin Udo Ekere, Dr. Aniekan Udo Ekere and Utibe Idorenyin Ekere were, between 2011 and 2014 accused of conspiracy, stealing and diversion of the sum of N118 million ($2.5 million as at then) belonging to Akwa Savings & Loans Limited.
The petitioner, Abasiama Idong also, in 2017 dragged Ekere before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for same allegations.
However, according to the Certified True Copy of a police investigation report signed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police from the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Ibrahim Abdul, and made available to newsmen in Uyo on Friday, the police stated that in the course of their investigation, it was gathered that the alleged missing of N118m against Mr. Nsima Ekere was actually a request made by Lossela Nigeria Ltd out of its deposit of two million, five hundred thousand US Dollars in Akwa Savings & loans Limited, which was approved by the then Managing Director, Mr. Effiong Akwa Okon with full knowledge that Lossela Ltd had more than enough to accommodate the transaction.
The police report further stated, “That Mr. Nsima Ekere did not authorize any payment nor close any Akwa Ibom State Government account with Akwa Saving and Loans Ltd as he had no role to play in the bank.
“That Lossela Nigeria Limited has a business relationship with Techsel Products Ltd.
That Lossela Nigeria Limited deposited $2,500,000 US Dollars with Akwa Savings and Loans Limited. That the money was transferred through Sterling Bank where Lossela maintained a domiciliary account.
“That Lossela Nigeria Limited sometimes in 2013 requested for the payment of one hundred million naira (N100,000,000) only from their US Dollars deposit with Akwa Savings and Loans Limited. That the money was credited into Techsel Products Ltd account with Akwa Savings and Loan Ltd based on a written instruction from Lossela Nigeria Ltd.
“That there was no visible illegal transaction between the suspects, ‘Techsel Products Nigeria Ltd’ and ‘Lossela Nigeria Ltd’ as alleged.
“That the petition is a calculated attempt to smear and ridicule the political ambition of Mr. Nsima Ekere, who is also a former MD of NDDC.”
The police further noted that based on the facts gathered in their findings, a prima facie case of conspiracy, forgery, and stealing cannot be established against Mr. Nsima Ekere, MessrsTechsel Products Limited, Mr. Idorenyin Udo Ekere, and Dr. Aniekan Udo Ekere as alleged.