EFCC Arrests Ex-Gov Timipreye Sylva’s Chief Of Staff

Sam Ogbuku

By Wilson Uwujaren Ag. Head, Media & Publicity Unit

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arrested Sam Ogbuku, the former Chief of Staff to ex-Bayelsa State Governor, Timipreye Sylva. He was picked up today at his residence in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos by operatives of the Commission. The arrest is in connection with the on going investigation into the tenure of Sylva as governor of Bayelsa State, Sources close to the investigation disclosed that several payments to Bureau de Change operators from the Bayelsa State treasury were traced to the suspect, who is said to have made useful statement. He was still being interrogated at the time of filing this report.
Timipreye Sylva is currently facing a six count charge of stealing and money laundering to the tune of N2billion before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
He was alleged to have connived with some state officials and others said to be at large in defrauding the state of N2 billion while he was at the helm of affairs in the state.
Since he was arraigned on June 5, 2012, further investigation by the anti graft agency established more evidence of graft against the former governor and his cronies. Among the assets traced to the former governor in the Federal Capital Territory are a duplex at Cachez Estate valued at N310m. Another property traced to the former governor is a N700m mansion in Wuse Abuja, allegedly acquired in the name of Marlin Maritime Limited, a company owned by Sylva.
  Saharareporters