The former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State and former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Nsima Ekere, has been absolved of allegations regarding conspiracy, diversion, and the misappropriation of N118 million, as per a police report.
According to The PUNCH, the report also absolves Messrs Techsel Products Limited, Mr. Idorenyin Udo Ekere, Dr. Aniekan Udo Ekere, and Utibe Idorenyin Ekere from the accusations.
The case, initially raised by Abasiama Idong, alleged fraud against Akwa Savings & Loans Limited between 2011 and 2014.
This matter, widely publicized in 2017 and subsequently presented before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, underwent scrutiny by the police.
The Certified True Copy of the police investigation report, signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Abdul from the Force Criminal Investigation Department, revealed that the purported missing N118 million involving Mr. Nsima Ekere was actually a request initiated by Lossela Nigeria Ltd.
The request stemmed from their deposit of $2.5 million USD in Akwa Savings & Loans Limited.
This transaction had the approval of the then Managing Director, Mr. Effiong Akwa Okon, who was well aware that Lossela Ltd had sufficient funds to accommodate the said 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 investigation concluded that no prima facie case of conspiracy, forgery, or stealing can be established against Mr. Nsima Ekere, Techsel Products Limited, Mr. Idorenyin Udo Ekere, and Dr. Aniekan Udo Ekere, as previously alleged, based on the gathered facts.
