The newly appointed Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria Holdings Pls, Nnamdi Okonkwo, has been questioned by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Details of the report are still sketchy as at the time of this report but it was gathered that the former MD of Fidelity Bank Plc was detained by the anti-graft agency.
According to reports, Okonkwo’s grilling is connected to his alleged role in the transfer of $153m linked with embattled former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke from the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission.
Recall that the EFCC had accused Diezani of taking $153m out of the NNPC and stashing them in three banks.
Back in 2017, the EFCC had accused Okonkwo of helping the former minister of take the money and keep $40m with the former Executive Director, Public Sector Accountant, First Bank Plc, Mr. Dauda Lawal.
Naija News reports that Okonkwo had recently taken over from Mr U.K. Eke as the group managing director of First Bank of Nigeria Holdings.
First Bank had in a statement released to newsmen said that the former Fidelity Bank MD would resume his duty from January 1, 2022 following the retirement of Eke which will take effect on December 31, 2021.
According to the statement, Okonkwo’s 30 years of banking career spanning local and international experience would be of great value to the board.
His appointment is subject to the approval of regulatory authorities, according to the statement.
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