By Abiola Olawale
Despite contesting in the just-concluded governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), an aspirant, Wale Akinterinwa, is reportedly detained by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
A source privy to the situation said Akinterinwa has reportedly been in the detention facility of the EFCC since last Thursday, April 18, 2024, and is being questioned over some alleged corruption cases.
The source said Akinterinwa is being held in connection with the ongoing investigation of his tenure as Commissioner for Finance in the administration of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN).
It would be recalled that until the State Executive Council was dissolved by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who succeeded Akeredolu, under whom Akinterinwa served as commissioner for over seven years.
Although Akinterinwa participated in the weekend governorship primary of the APC from detention, the 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 commission’s office on Thursday, April 18. It was learned that the EFCC decided to be silent on the detention in order not to jeopardise Akinterinwa’s chances in the APC primary.
The source 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 restraint to avoid being dragged into politics because he (Akinterinwa) was an aspirant for the APC governorship primary.
“But Akinterinwa voluntarily reported to the EFCC in Abuja. He was taken into custody for quizzing.
“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 New Diplomat_ reports that Akinterinwa and the other 15 aspirants were defeated by Governor Aiyedatiwa, who clinched the APC ticket for the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State.
Aiyedatiwa’s emergence from the primary was announced by Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State, who served as the Chairman of the Primary Election Committee.
Aiyedatiwa scored the highest votes of 48,569 to emerge as the winner of the exercise, which commenced on Saturday, April 20.
