The Ebonyi State Police Command yesterday said that the chief executive officer (CEO), of Andrew Bishopton Limited, Jackie Ikeotuonye was arrested by police for her alleged involvement in advanced fee fraud against the Ebonyi State Government.
A statement signed by the police public relations officer (PPRO) SP Chris Anyanwu, said that the suspect allegedly defrauded the Ebonyi State Government to the tune of N50million in pretence of being a consultant on recovery of funds contrary to section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud cap A6 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2006.
The social media was yesterday agog with the news of the plot by the Ebonyi State government to use men of the state police command to arrest Jackie Ikeotuonye who had alleged that she won a case against the Ebonyi State Government.
The post had alleged that the court gave an order mandating Ebonyi State Government to pay Ikeotuonye the sum of N30million being money owed her by the state government for a job she executed for the state government.
But the PPRO, SP Anyanwu maintained that a warrant of arrest was duly issued by the High Court of Ebonyi State which was used to apprehend the suspect over alleged fraud against the state government.
The statement reads: “The attention of Ebonyi State Police Command has been drawn to a publication on social media and other fora in which a certain Jackie Ikeotuonye, the CEO Andrew Bishopton LTD lamented that Gov Umahi initiated her arrest using the police after she purportedly won a case against the Governor in Court.
“It has therefore become pertinent to state with respect to the campaign of calumny which is meant to carry unnecessary empathy in favour of the said suspect”.
SP Anyanwu maintained that the case before the State Police Command against Jackie Ikeotuonye is a criminal case devoid of any civil litigation.
He pointed out that relevant investigative outfit of the State Police Command has swung into action and will carry out an objective investigation in a most professional manner to ensure that justice prevails.
He assured the parties involved and the public of the resolve of the commissioner of police, CP Aliyu Garba to ensure integrity and truth in the course of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State government yesterday said that the state governor Chief David Umahi has no hand in the travails of Ms Ikeotuonye.
In a statement signed by the special assistant to the governor on media and strategy, Mr Chooks Oko described as false and mischievous the claim by Ms Ikeotuonye that Governor Umahi ordered her arrest over garnishee orders against the Government of Ebonyi State.
“Nothing could be more satanic, misleading and outrightly fallacious than such an insinuation.
“Sometime in 2015, Ikeotuonye approached Ebonyi State Government through her company, Andrew Bishopton Ltd requesting to serve as agents to help the State Government recover her share of Paris club refunds for a fee.
“The state government gave them the contract but called for a review when the governors, under the aegis of Nigerian Governors Forum, collectively made an alternative arrangement that later yielded fruits.
“Having done nothing for the state government, the contract with Andrew Bishopton Ltd was terminated but Ikeotuonye quickly ran to a former president who intervened and got the state to pay her fifty million naira as final settlement. An agreement was signed to that effect.”
He maintained that it was the police that is investigating Ikeotuonye for forgery among other issues.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Umahi has no hand in the matter as it is strictly her case with the Ebonyi State Government and the security agencies.
“Her cheap blackmail against the Governor is not only ill-advised but would ultimately aid her conviction for the offences she has committed,” he said.
