EFCC quizzes NAFDAC DG for alleged contract fraud

 

Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday quizzed the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Dr. Paul Orhii, for an alleged abuse of office and contract fraud.

Orhii, who arrived the EFCC by 10am, was grilled for seven hours and asked to go by 5pm.

An operative of the commission who confided in our correspondent said that the NAFDAC boss was asked to go on administrative bail and would be available for further interrogation on Tuesday.

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It was stated that Orhii allegedly awarded NAFDAC supply contracts to companies in which he had interests.

The source said, “The NAFDAC DG, Dr. Orhii, was interrogated for abuse of office and alleged contract fraud.

“The allegation is that there are certain supplies that NAFDAC contractors do. He is accused of awarding these contracts to companies in which he has interests. This means, he awarded the contracts to himself.”

Our correspondent could not get the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, to comment on the story as calls to his mobile telephone line did not connect.

But the Director of Special Duties, NAFDAC, Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, said that the NAFDAC boss visited the EFCC to clarify allegations of corruption by a former Director of Finance and Accounts of the agency, Mr. Ademola Mogbojuri.

He said that some officials who were mentioned in the petition had gone to the EFCC last week to answer questions in relation to the allegations, which he described as ‘mindless.’

He said, “We have been alerted to the online trending news of the visit of the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Dr. Paul Orhii, to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission today.

“The visit was at the personal volition of the DG to explain the situation regarding allegations of corruption by a former Director of Finance and Accounts of the agency, Mr. Ademola Mogbojuri. ince last week, some officers who were mentioned in the allegations have been going to the EFCC to shed light and clear the air on the mindless accusations.”