Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and detained Wale Akinteriwa, a former commissioner of finance under ex Ondo governor, Late Rotimi Akeredolu.
Politics Nigeria reports that Akinyerinwa is also one of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants in Ondo State.
According to sources, Akinterinwa is being held in connection with the ongoing investigation of his seven-year tenure as commissioner for finance.
Akinterinwa, who claimed that Akeredolu had anointed him as the next Ondo 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 “too busy” to honour the invitation.
He, however, showed up at the EFCC office on Thursday — few days to the Ondo APC governorship primary election.
It was learnt that EFCC decided to be silent on the detention in order not to jeopardise Akinterinwa’s 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 restrained 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 quizzing.
“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.”
