The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Patricia Etteh, over a questionable contract worth N240m awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission.

The former speaker was said to have received N130m through her account from Phil Jin Project Limited, a firm that was awarded the N240m contract by the NDDC in 2011.

She was arrested on Tuesday, 17th May 2022, by the anti-graft agency in Abuja for questioning.

EFCC Officials told reporters that Etteh had been unable to explain why the firm transferred N130m to her out of the money.

 According to EFCC officials, “Etteh is currently in our custody. What happened was that in 2011, the NDDC awarded a contract of N240m to Phil Jin Project Limited for the supply of solar-powered street lights in some communities in Akwa Ibom.

“Shortly after the contract was awarded, the firm got N34m as an initial sum. Two weeks later, they received N253m, a total of N287m. Even though the contract itself was worth N240m.

“Etteh is not a director in the company or a contractor. But the company paid her N130m. So, she was invited to explain what the money was for and she has been unable to do so. It is either the company is fronting for her or there are some shady deals. We cannot ascertain the execution of the contract in any case.” .

Etteh  is the only woman in the country’s history to have been elected Speaker of the house of representatives.

Story: Ralia Adama

CLICK NAIJA 2022