The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ondo State Wale Akinterinwa.
He is being held in connection with the ongoing investigation of his tenure as Commissioner for Finance in the defunct Akeredolu administration.
Until the State Executive Council was dissolved by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who succeeded the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Akinterinwa served as commissioner for over seven years.
He had high hopes of dislodging Aiyedatiwa but was beaten with a wide margin by the governor during the party primary that started on Saturday and stretched to Sunday.
The aspirant is being investigated for alleged mismanagement of billions of Naira, a source said.
Although Akinterinwa participated at the weekend direct primary from detention, EFCC said the timing of detention was at its discretion and choice.
According to sources, Akinterinwa was invited some weeks ago by the anti-graft body for interaction on some allegations, but was “allegedly too busy” to honour the invitation.
He, however, showed up at the anti-graft commission’s office on Thursday.
It was learnt that EFCC decided to be silent on the detention in order not to jeopardise Akinterinwa’s chances in the APC primary.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “In the past few weeks, the EFCC invited Akinterinwa for interrogation on the red flag on some issues during his tenure as Commissioner for Finance. But he has not been forthcoming.
“The commission had the option to declare him wanted, but it exercised restrained to avoid being dragged into politics because he was an aspirant for the APC governorship primary.
“But Akinterinwa voluntarily reported to the EFCC in Abuja. He was taken into custody for quizzing.”
The soure speaking yesterday, said: “Akinterinwa is still in our custody. We did not arrest or pick him up, but he came up to respond to our long overdue invitation. I can tell you that his detention has no political undertone.”
– The Nation
