Former Permanent Secretary Arrested By Efcc

Mrs Nkechi Ejele who is the immediate past
permanent secretary in the Ministry of
Culture, Tourism and National Orientation has
been dragged to the office of the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for
interrogation on corruption charges related to
the misapplication of funds meant for the
Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment
Programme (SURE-P).
Mrs Ejele was one of the 17 permanent
secretaries who were sacked by President
Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, November
9 ,while new permanent secretaries were
appointed as replacement the following day,
Tuesday, November 10.
Since the permanent secretaries were sacked,
they were placed under the watch of security
operatives with some already quizzed by the
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other
Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in
relations to corruption charges and
misappropriation of funds.
Premium Times reports that Mrs Ejele arrived
at the office of the EFCC at 10am, today
Thursday, November 19 and is still being
questioned by security operatives.
President Buhari abolished the SURE-P
scheme a fortnight ago and asked the panel
for a comprehensive report on the financial
engagement of the scheme.
According to Sahara Reporters, the former
permanent secretary is being questioned for
her role in the misappropriation of
N500million SURE-P fund in 2013and 2014.
Mrs Ejele was transferred from the office of
the head of civil service of the federation
(manpower development unit) to the Ministry
Tourism, Culture & National Orientation on
March 6, 2013.