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EFCC arrests ‘self-acclaimed’ Abia governor, Uche Ogah

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EFCC arrests ‘self-acclaimed’ Abia governor, Uche Ogah

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship election aspirant in the 2015 Abia State election, Mr Uche Ogah, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to a source from the EFCC, Mr Ogah, who is being investigated over fresh allegations of fraud, was arrested on Monday morning in Lagos

Ogah who is the president of Masters Energy Oil and Gas Limited, was picked up by EFCC operatives in the premises of the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court, Tinubu, Lagos.

A source at the EFCC said the commission had received a petition from the complainant in the case against Ogah.

Uche Ogah receiving certificate of return form INEC officer after being declared winner of the 2015 Abia State governorship election

Uche Ogah receiving certificate of return form INEC officer after being declared winner of the 2015 Abia State governorship election

The source said Ogah was being interrogated, adding that others would also be invited.

The other defendants in the charge which the Police withdrew against Ogah were his company, Masters Energy Oil and Gas Limited; and Deji Somoye.

The defendants were accused of conspiring with some persons still at large to forge a Memorandum of Understanding between Masters Energy Oil and Gas Limited and Mut-Hass Petroleum Limited sometime in March 2011.

Ogah and some other persons still at large were alleged to have forged the signature of one Mrs. Bridget Adeosun.

The charges read, “That you, Masters Energy Oil and Gas Limited, Uche Ogah, and others at large sometime in March 2011 at Ikeja, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to wit: forgery.

“That you, Masters Energy Oil and Gas Limited, Uche Ogah, and others at large, on the same date, time, place and in the aforementioned magisterial district, did forge the signature of one Mrs. Bridget Adeosun and a document known as MoU between Mut-Hass Petroleum Limited and Masters Energy Oil and Gas Limited, with an intent that it may be in any way used or acted upon as genuine.

“That you, Deji Somoye, and others still at large, sometime in August 2011, at Palmgrove, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did knowing that Masters Energy Oil and Gas Limited designed to commit an offence, failed to use all reasonable means to prevent the commission or the completion of the crime.”

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty; after which they were admitted to bail in the sum of N200,000 each, with one surety each in like sum.

Investigation revealed that Mr Ogah was taken to the EFCC office in Ikoyi where he is undergoing interrogation.

Though the nature of the allegations leveled against him was not known as at the time of going to press many believe it may be related to issues of subsidy payment and other issues.

The former bank Manager is a big player in the oil and gas business.

As at the time of filing in this report, it is not yet established if he ll be allowed to go home on self-recognition or will be charged to court later.

Biodun Abimbola

NEWSVERGE, published by The Verge Communications is an online community of international news portal and social advocates dedicated to bringing you commentaries, features, news reports from a Nigerian-African perspective. The Verge Communications (NEWSVERGE) is fully registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a corporate organization.

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