N23m fraud: EFCC clears NABDA boss, Lucy Ogbadu

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has cleared the Director General of the National Bio-technology Development Agency, NABDA, Prof. Lucy Ogbadu, over alleged diversion of N23 million.

In a clearance letter by the Secretary of EFCC, Mr. Emmanuel Aremu and addressed to the Minister of Science and Technology, the anti-graft agency admitted that nothing incriminating was found against Prof Ogbadu after its operatives launched an investigation into the claim that she collected the sum of N23 million through a bank account belonging to the wife of the Director of the Bayelsa State Bio-Resources Development Centre, Mrs Esther Habu.

When she was arrested on June 29, 2017, EFCC said that she was being investigated for collecting the said money from the woman, whose husband heads the Bayelsa Office of the Federal Government owned agency.

In a statement at the time of her arrest last year, EFCC Spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said, “further investigations also revealed that Mrs. Habu is one of the contractors with Bio-resources Development Centre, Odi, Bayelsa State. A total of N603 million has been traced to her in different deals involving over 20 directors of the centre across the country.”

But in the latest clearance letter written by the EFCC Secretary with Ref No. EFCC/SC/S&T/085/001, dated October 24, 2017, the anti-graft agency said, “The National Biotechnology Development Agency, its Director General and other staff of the agency have been under investigation by the commission.”

“However, nothing incriminating has been found against the Director General of the agency and you may wish to accord her all necessary assistance and support she might require. Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration,” the letter added.

#EFCC #LucyOgbadu #N23mfraud