Nsima Ekere, former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State and former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, has been found not guilty of conspiracy, diversion, and stealing of N118 million, according to a police report.
Messrs Techsel Products Limited, Mr. Idorenyin Udo Ekere, Dr. Aniekan Udo Ekere, and Utibe Idorenyin Ekere were also exonerated by the police report.
Between 2011 and 2014, the affected individuals were accused by one Abasiama Idong of defrauding Akwa Savings & Loans Limited of N118 million.
The case, which received widespread media coverage in 2017, was also brought before the Economic and Financial Crime Commission.
However, according to a Certified True Copy of the police investigation report signed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police from the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Ibrahim Abdul, and made available to our correspondent in Uyo on Friday, the police stated that during their investigation, it was discovered that the alleged missing of N118m against Mr. Nsima Ekere was actually a request made by Lossela Nigeria Ltd out of its deposit of two million, five hundred thousand naira.
The police report further stated,
“That Mr. Nsima Ekere did not authorize any payment nor close any Akwa Ibom State Government account with Akwa Saving and Loans Ltd as he had no role to play in the bank.
“That Lossela Nigeria Limited has a business relationship with Techsel Products Ltd.
“That Lossela Nigeria Limited deposited $2,500,000 US Dollars with Akwa Savings and Loans Limited. That the money was transferred through Sterling Bank where Lossela maintained a domiciliary account.
“That Lossela Nigeria Limited sometimes in 2013 requested for the payment of one hundred million naira (N100,000,000) only from their US Dollars deposit with Akwa Savings and Loans Limited. That the money was credited into Techsel Products Ltd account with Akwa Savings and Loan Ltd based on a written instruction from Lossela Nigeria Ltd.
“That there was no visible illegal transaction between the suspects, “Techsel Products Nigeria Ltd” and Lossela Nigeria Ltd” as alleged.
“That the petition is a calculated attempt to smear and ridicule the political ambition of Mr. Nsima Ekere, who is also a former MD of NDDC.”
The police further noted that based on the facts gathered in their findings, a prima facie case of conspiracy, forgery, and stealing cannot be established against Mr. Nsima Ekere, MessrsTechsel Products Limited, Mr. Idorenyin Udo Ekere, and Dr. Aniekan Udo Ekere as alleged.