These are not the best of times for the Delta State accountant-general, Mr. Cyril Chukwuma Agbele as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is said to have interrogated the finance chief for allegedly siphoning from state funds, money laundering, extortion, amassing wealth and assets corruptly, worth over N2.7 billion.
The anti-graft agency, THE WITNESS learnt, is investigating Agbele following a petition written by a non-governmental organization, FOWN. In the petition, the group accused Mr. Agbele of pilfering huge sums of money from the Delta State treasury using several companies to obtain contracts and approve funds for himself. He is also said to have forced other contractors to pay as much as 13 per cent in cash as upfront kickback to him before he processes their payment even after the governor’s approval.
The group further alleged that Agbele has properties scattered all over Delta State said to be worth a whopping two billion naira and these include hotels, school, farms, fast food joints, petrol station and houses. He also boasts of countless number of exotic cars.
“The mammoth fraud and collection of kickback characterizes the office of the accountant-general. It is expected that every contractor must be willing to part with at least 13 per cent of whatever is approved by the governor to any contractor upfront before such funds are approved for disbursement by the accountant-general,” FOWN stated.
“We are aware of other civil servants of his level who only own modest houses which are perfectly in line with their legal earnings and means. Even in rare cases where both the persons were top level civil servants, none is able to amass beyond 50 to 100% of their total salaries throughout their years of service.
“So how does Mr. Cyril Agbele who is on a fixed income live a lavish lifestyle buying properties which only a few businessmen in Delta State can afford?” the petitioner queried.
Mr. Cyril Agbele who is said to have bought a house abroad located at 1010S 17th St, Copperas Cove, Texas, 76522 has formed the habit of traveling to the United States with his entire family every summer for holidays where he spends his annual three weeks leave. His children live in Newcastle, United Kingdom where they attend schools.
Listed below are few of the properties linked to the accountant-general:
LOCAL ASSETS
1. Three Duplexes at No. 3, Ezekwe Street, Off Obiajulu street, off DDPA, Asaba, Delta State, worth over N300,000,000.00 “furniture excluded”.
2. Plot 13, Block 6, Opposite Junior Staff Quarters, DDPA Estate, Asaba. Worth N150,000,000.00Presently leased to Nigeria Institute of Medical Research.
3. Nitika Fast food, DLA Road, Asaba.
4. Ronec Petrol Station, DLA Road, Asaba worth N140,000,000.00)
5. A hotel seated on a 200m by 200m at No 9, Peter Obiagu Street, off Ibusa Road worth over N400,000,000.00.
6. Jostin Excel International School, Okpanam express, off Asaba/Benin express way presently valued at N200,000,000.00
7. A multimillion naira twin duplex mansion at the Asaba Federal Housing Estate, opposite Asaba International Airport. (N250,000,000.00)
8. A multimillion naira students hostel off Asaba Ogwashi Road (N300,000,000.00)
9. A multi-billion naira Hotel in Abuja
10. A multi-million naira mansion in a highbrow area in Abuja
11. A poultry farm with over (30,000 birds) and animal husbandry in Ubulu-uwku area in Asaba.
12. Several hectares of Plantain Plantation on Kwale Road
13. Two Toyota 4-Runner SUV’s (1 Green, Ash colour)
14. Two Bullet Proof Toyota Land Cruiser SUV’s, (1 Silver, 1 Black)
15. One White 2015 Toyota Camry
16. One 2014 Honda Accord (Wine Red)
17. One BMW X6 (Black)
18. One Infinity QX56 (Silver)
19. One Toyota Sienna (Black)
20. Two Toyota Highlander SUV (
21. One Toyota Prado
22. Two Brand new Toyota Hilux (White)
FOREIGN ASSET
1. A 3 Bedroom house at 1010S 17th St, Copperas Cove, Texas, 76522
2. A mansion in Newcastle, United Kingdom.
It was also revealed through the petition that recently, one of his house-helps, a Tiv indigene, conspired with his wife’s brother, Frank Ugo and carted away over $150,000 in cash, a case which Mr. Cyril failed to report to the police or any other agency as it would spark outrage and raise suspicion into his money laundering activities.
The group is calling the EFCC to investigate and prosecute the Delta finance chief and also to request that the illegal properties allegedly scattered all over Nigeria and abroad be temporarily forfeited to the FG.
Efforts to reach Mr. Agbele for his angle to the reports proved futile as calls and text messages placed to his mobile line were not responded to as at press time. (The Witness)
