The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied allegations that it targeted a witness in the ongoing Edo State election petition tribunal. In a statement released today, January 15, 2025, the EFCC clarified that Mr. Jonathan Okunbor, the subject of the alleged incident, is not a witness as claimed by Mr. Asue Ighodalo, but rather a prime suspect in a separate N6 billion fraud investigation.
According to the EFCC, Okunbor is suspected of misappropriating funds through his company, Kezmith Global Ventures, operating under the guise of Mr. Godfrey Emode. Investigators apprehended Emode, who led them to Okunbor at a meeting in Eterno Hotel. During interrogation, Ighodalo’s counsel confirmed that Okunbor was not a witness in the election tribunal matter.
Despite this, Ighodalo and others allegedly obstructed the EFCC’s attempt to arrest Okunbor, falsely claiming he was a witness to prevent his apprehension. The commission emphasized its commitment to upholding the rule of law and insisted that it has “no business with any Edo State election witness that has no corruption charge before it.”
The EFCC made it clear that it will pursue its investigation into the alleged N6 billion fraud and will bring Okunbor to justice regardless of his purported connection to the election tribunal. “The public is assured that Okunbor will be brought to book soon in connection with the alleged N6 billion fraud involving his firm, Kezmith Global Ventures,” the statement concluded.
