THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and detained a former Commissioner of Finance during the administration of the late former governor, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).
Wale Akinterinwa was one of the aspirants in the just concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary held in the Sunshine State conducted to pick a candidate for the party in the election slated for later in the year. However, not a few were surprised at his absence during the exercise.
According to sources, Akinterinwa is being held in connection with the ongoing investigation of his seven-year tenure as commissioner.
Akinterinwa, who claimed that Akeredolu had anointed him as the next Ondo State governor, is being investigated for alleged mismanagement of billions of naira.
Sources say Akinterinwa was invited some weeks ago by the anti-graft agency for interaction on some allegations but was claimed to be “too busy” to honour the invitation.
He, however, showed up at the EFCC office on Thursday — a few days before the Ondo APC governorship primary election.
It was learnt that EFCC decided to be silent on the detention in order not to jeopardise his chances in the APC primary.
“In the past few weeks, the EFCC invited Akinterinwa for interrogation on the red flag on some issues during his tenure as Commissioner for Finance. But he has not been forthcoming,” a source said.
“The Commission had the option to declare him wanted, but it exercised restraint to avoid being dragged into politics because he was an aspirant for the APC governorship primary.
“But Akinterinwa voluntarily reported to the EFCC in Abuja. He was taken into custody for questioning.
“Akinterinwa is still in our custody. We did not arrest or pick him up, but he came up to respond to our long-overdue invitation. I can tell you that his detention has no political undertone”, an EFCC source stated.
Eighteen-Eleven Media