EFCC goes after Atiku’s associates

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced a discreet probe into the activities of some associates of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, News Express learnt on Sunday.

 Those targeted, for now, are Directors of Intels, an oil-servicing firm in which Atiku is believed to have some considerable shares. The company is managed by an Italian, Gabrielle Volpi.

 Investigations, however, showed that a number of Directors of the frontline oil-servicing firm are being investigated for alleged money laundering to the tune of over $600million.

 An informed source said: “High ranking officials in Intels are being investigated by EFCC for alleged money laundering over US$600million.”

 A number of the Directors of Intels have been interrogated in connections with the alleged offence, stated the source. He disclosed that the probe actually began some months back, thus fuelling speculations that it could be linked to Atiku’s political team finances.

Atiku disputes the results of the 2019 residential polls, and is currently in court in a bid to overturn the declared victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

 When contacted, Acting Spokesman of EFCC, Mr. Tony Orilade, said: “Honestly, I am not aware. If you can give me till Monday (May 6), I shall get the true story and revert to you.”