Imo Professionals Want EFCC to Probe Ihedioha’s Link with FBI-indicted Nigerian

Ogheneuvede Ohwovoriole The Imo Professionals Group (IPG), which is made up of associations of professional bodies from different sections of Imo State, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate if there is any business link between Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State and Chika Augustine Odionyenma, a Nigerian who was recently indicted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for alleged financial fraud in the United Stated of American.

In a statement issued yesterday by the President and the Director, Media Relations of the IPG, Julius Chinedu and Dr. Amaka Nwosu, respectively, in Abuja, the professionals said they were seriously concerned about the matter because stories over alleged possible political deals between the Imo State Governor and Odionyenma had dominated the media, especially the social media in the last few days.

Odionyenma, who is popularly known by his pseudo names as ‘’Nwakanwa’’ or “Tony Chika,’’ is among the 78 Nigerians whose names were released on August 23, 2019, for their alleged involvement in cyber fraud in the United States of America.

The group stated: “We have seen pictures, in which our governor posed with the FBIindicted Nigerian and the letter he personally signed, appointing the alleged fraudster to serve as a member of the Sub-Committee on Logistics of his May 29 Inauguration Planning and Handover Committee.

“And the questions we are asking are: Is it true that Mr. Odionyenma was one of the multi-millionaires who bankrolled Governor Ihedioha’s governorship campaign between 2018 and 2019, as allegedly reported by the media?

“Is it correct that the FBI’s indicted businessman was one of the alleged highest donors to Governor Ihedioha’s campaign purse within the above mentioned period?

“Is it also true that Odionyenma’s rapport with Governor Ihedioha predates the 2019 general election period?’’