Diezani: How confessions of ex-minister’s associate led to Uche Secondus’ arrest

Secondus was arrested on Wednesday, February 24, 2016, for allegedly receiving luxury vehicles worth N300 million from Jide Omokore, an associate of former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus in connection with a money laundering investigation.

Secondus was arrested on Wednesday, February 24, 2016, for allegedly receiving luxury vehicles worth N300 million from Jide Omokore, an associate of former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, Vanguard reports.

“It was Omokore’s probe that exposed Secondus and we had to go after him. It was in the process of trying to trace where Omokore’s money went to that we found that exotic cars worth over N300 million were bought for distribution to PDP top shots,” an EFCC source told Vanguard.

“Records show that he (Secondus) was the man who received the vehicles and we really want to know why he got the cars, what they were meant for and who the beneficiaries were,” the source added.

Another source told The Nation that Alison-Madueke’s associate had confirmed that oil proceeds were diverted for the purchase of the vehicles.

“We have detained Secondus to assist the EFCC in its ongoing investigation of how oil receipts were diverted to the purchase of 23 vehicles,” the source said.

“A business associate of ex-Minister of Petroleum Resources, who operates a private upstream oil and gas company, confirmed that the accruable revenue was used to buy the said vehicles.

“We have quizzed Secondus for about eight hours and he has made a statement. But we are yet to admit him to bail until the investigation gets to a convenient bend,” the source added.

Meanwhile, Alison-Madueke has denied reports that she approved oil swap deals without the necessary contracts while in office.