EFCC releases statement over attempted arrest of Femi Fani-Kayode's wife

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode

Following alleged attempt by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to arrest and detain, Chikwendu Sonia, wife of Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode in Ekiti State, Spokesman of the Commission, Wilson Uwujaren has given details of the encounter.

Giving the commission’s side of the story, Uwujaren said, “Contrary to the media spin about the purported arrest of mother and child, a certain Chikwendu Sonia today attempted to withdraw money from an Access Bank account that had been placed on 'Post No Debit' Category, following the discovery of illicit cash flows into the account.

“She was intercepted by the bank while the Commission was notified but because it was late, the EFCC advised that the suspect be taken to the police station for processing and  release on bail.

"They were arranging to take the suspect to the police station when Governor Ayo Fayose stormed the bank with thugs and his personal security and forcefully secured the release of the suspect, with claims that the EFCC had no power to detain anybody in his state. He also vowed to close down the branch of the bank."

According to EFCC, “The said account, which had a balance of N 2,307,712.82 was flagged following investigation into the PDP Joint Trust fund when  the Commission traced N1.1billion to the Zenith Bank account of Fani-Kayode.

“It was discovered that the account had two biometric identification numbers, one for Fani-Kayode and the other  (with BVN 2205597283) for  Sonia Chikwendu. The same BVN is linked to 2 other accounts in Diamond bank and 15 accounts in Guaranty Trust Bank”