Former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Charles Chukwuemeka Ugwuh has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged conspiracy and fraud to the tune of N3.6bn.
Gatekeepers News reports that Ugwuh was arrested alongside Chief Geoffrey Ekenma on January 11, 2024 at No.2, Musa Yar Adua way, New Owerri, Imo State.
The anti-graft’s Head Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale confirmed the development in a statement on Monday.
He said their arrest followed a petition to the Commission from a new generation bank on the alleged fraud perpetrated through a company, Ebony Agro Industries Ltd., linked to the ex-Minister.
According to the EFCC, investigations revealed that Ugwuh and Ekenma, Managing Director, Ebony Agro Industries Ltd., allegedly obtained a loan facility from the bank for the purchase and production of polished rice.
However, the suspect, according to the petitioner, failed to meet up his obligations to the bank and all efforts to get him to repay the loan facility proved abortive.
The EFCC said the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
