A former Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC chief, Nsima Ekere, has been released on bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, according to people familiar with the development.
Mr Ekere, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was arrested on May 18 on allegations of stealing N47 billion, spending three nights in custody before he was freed on Saturday evening.
The loot was reportedly tied to fraudulent contracts across Niger Delta when Mr Ekere led the regional development body.
He, however, denied all allegations.
The terms under which the EFCC freed Mr Ekere, now at a relative’s residence in Lagos, per those familiar with his movement, were not immediately disclosed, but his legal representatives were said to be involved in the negotiations.
His arrest came days after he was successfully screened to run for Senate on the ruling party platform.
A spokesman for the EFCC could not be reached for comments about the release Saturday night as per Peoples Gazette.
Meanwhile, the anti-graft agency on Monday arrested Ahmed Idris, Accountant General of the Federation over allegations he stole in excess of N80 billion.
