The Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested the accountant of Gombe State Government House, Mohammed Balbaya, for allegedly receiving N338 million from Fidelity Bank as part of the money made available by a former petroleum minister, Diezani Allison-Maduke, during the 2015 elections.
Mr. Balbaya is currently in the custody of the EFCC at its Gombe zonal office.
EFCC sources told our correspondent that Mr. Babalya was cooperating with investigators and that he had told them that he was directed by a former senator from the state to receive the money.
The former lawmaker, Saidu Kumo, served as the campaign coordinator of Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of the state during the 2015 election. Mr. Kumo could not be reached for comments.
One of the investigators, who declined to be named because he was not permitted to talk to the media, said the accountant claimed that after receiving the money, he contacted the government House permanent secretary, Sani Jauro, who also doubles as the principal private secretary to Mr. Dankwambo.
He said the money was later shared to beneficiaries.
Mr. Balbaya however claimed he did not benefit from the illegal funds, the source said, adding that the arrested official refused to name the beneficiaries or how much each received.
The commission also has in its custody the Adamawa State PDP chairman, Joel Madaki, also over allegations of receiving the Fidelity bank for PDP campaign money.
