From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun a manhunt for some kinsmen of former President Goodluck Jonathan in connection with investigations into billions of naira alleged to be missing in some federal government agencies.
Investigations showed that operatives of the anti-graft commission, besides investigating relatives of former aides of Jonathan, have also extended their dragnet to Jonathan’s kinsmen that held sensitive positions in federal government agencies.
EFCC operatives, over the weekend, reportedly raided the country home of the former coordinator of the Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Group, Mr. George Turnah in Kolo, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, in connection with the alleged looting of funds belonging to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Between 2011 and 2015, Turnah had served as the Special Adviser on Youth, Sports and Women to the Managing Director of the NDDC.
According to sources, Turnah has been on the watch list of the commission in its investigation of several questionable contracts running into billions of naira allegedly awarded by the NDDC.
Apparently acting on a tip-off, operatives of the EFCC, along with armed soldiers, stormed the community to arrest Turnah for questioning over his role in the execution of contracts in the NDDC. However, Turnah was said to have got wind of the planned arrest and moved out of the house before the EFCC arrived.
The EFCC officials, realising that their target had left the community, broke into the house and searched it for sensitive documents while soldiers surrounded the house to ward off resistance by community youths.
One of the policemen on guard at Turnah’s house confirmed the invasion, explaining that the EFCC operatives did not say what they were looking for but broke into the house and left after ransacking the place for about five hours.
He said the operatives ransacked the offices as well as bedrooms and sitting rooms. He said they also broke into some of the rooms when they could not find the keys to unlock the doors, adding that they went away with some sensitive documents and some chequebooks belonging to Turnah’s companies.
A source st the commission said several kinsmen of Jonathan that held sensitive positions in the last administrations are currently under investigations.
“Yes, the EFCC is investigating kinsmen of former President Jonathan as part of the war against corruption. The funds we are talking about is huge and some of them have been invited while some have ignored the invitation,” the source said.