Nkechi Ejele who is the immediate past permanent secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation has been summoned to the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for interrogation on corruption charges. The charges relate to the misappropriation of funds meant for the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

Ejele was one of the 17 permanent secretaries who were sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, November 9 ,while new permanent secretaries were appointed as replacement the following day, Tuesday, November 10. Since the permanent secretaries were sacked, they were placed under the watch of security operatives with some already quizzed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in relations to corruption charges and misappropriation of funds.

Premium Times reports that Mrs Ejele arrived at the office of the EFCC at 10am, today Thursday, November 19 and is still being questioned by security operatives. President Buhari abolished the SURE-P scheme a fortnight ago and asked the panel for a comprehensive report on the financial engagement of the scheme. According to Sahara Reporters, the former permanent secretary is being questioned for her role in the misappropriation of N500million SURE-P fund in 2013 and 2014.

Mrs Ejele was transferred from the office of the head of civil service of the federation (manpower development unit) to the Ministry Tourism, Culture & National Orientation on March 6, 2013. There has been panic since the sacking of the permanent secretaries as the former Permanent Secretary of the state house, Mr Nebolisa Emordi, returned two official cars and Villa identity card with him as he left office.

O-Reporters