Ondo State, Nigeria – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained Wale Akinterinwa, an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ondo State. He is being held in connection with the ongoing investigation of his tenure as Commissioner for Finance in the defunct Akeredolu administration.
Akinterinwa served as commissioner for over seven years until the State Executive Council was dissolved by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who succeeded the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. The aspirant is being investigated for alleged mismanagement of billions of Naira.
Despite his detention, Akinterinwa participated in the weekend direct primary. The EFCC stated that the timing of the detention was at its discretion and choice.
Akinterinwa was invited by the anti-graft body for interaction on some allegations a few weeks ago, but he was “allegedly too busy” to honour the invitation. However, he voluntarily reported to the EFCC in Abuja on Thursday and was taken into custody for questioning.
The EFCC decided to be silent on the detention in order not to jeopardize Akinterinwa’s chances in the APC primary. A source, who spoke in confidence, 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 case continues to unfold as the EFCC deepens its investigation into the alleged financial mismanagement during Akinterinwa’s tenure as Commissioner for Finance.
