The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared billionaire businessman and Managing Director of Aiteo Group, Mr. Benedict Peters, wanted for his alleged role in the $115m (N23bn) bribe given to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, during the build-up to the 2015 election.
The EFCC said in an official gazette signed by its spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, that Peters was wanted for criminal conspiracy, diversion of funds and money laundering.
The notice read in part, “Dark-complexioned Peters is wanted in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy , diversion of funds and money laundering. He hails from Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. His last known address is 8B Agodogba Avenue, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.”
Peters is alleged to have given Diezani about $60m during the build-up to the 2015 presidential election.
The EFCC had alleged that the MD of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, helped Diezani convert $115m to N23bn after which it was disbursed to INEC officials.
Some of the money was said to have emanated from some oil companies including Northern Belt Gas Company Limited which allegedly gave $60m to Fidelity Bank on behalf of Diezani.
An EFCC source told our correspondent that Peters was the person behind Northern Belt Gas Company Limited.
The source said, “We have launched investigations into the companies that gave Diezani money in the form of kickbacks. About $60m came from Northern Belt Gas Company Limited. We have not been able to ascertain the directors of the company. However, we found out that Mr. Benedict Peters is the sole signatory to the account at Fidelity Bank.
“All attempts to get him have proved abortive. We currently do not know where he is and he is hardly ever in one place because he has a private jet.”
The oil magnate, who owns oil facilities in several countries, is said to own tank farms in Lagos and Port Harcourt. Under former President Goodluck Jonathan, Peters acquired an 85-per cent stake in block OML 29 from Shell Gas Company for $2.56bn. OML 29 potentially holds up to 2.2 billion barrels of oil and about 300 million standard cubic feet of gas.
He was also alleged to have taken part in the controversial crude oil swap deal involving the exchange of crude oil for refined petroleum products in which the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation gave out 445,000 barrels of crude per day to nine companies through the Pipelines Product Marketing Company, a subsidiary of the NNPC.
However, Peters had in an advertorial in Sunday PUNCH of May 8, 2016, denied the allegations levelled against him.
The statement read in part, “In order to put the facts clearly and correctly in the public domain, both AIETO Group and Mr. Peter would like to state categorically that Mr. Peters has not been officially invited by the EFCC on this matter.
“As a law-abiding citizen and a significant participant in Nigeria’s key oil and gas sector and an accomplished global businessman with significant interests in different parts of the world, Mr. Benedict Peters will upon receipt of an official invitation from the EFCC, cooperate with such relevant authorities.
“Mr. Peters who is currently out of the country will certainly attend to an invitation from the EFCC upon return to Nigeria.”
Saharareporters.
*So because he released a press release that he had not been declared wanted,they declared him wanted?Na wah
Unending saga
ReplyDelete...and the said bribe money had gone round. The money shared during campaign/election, printed wrappers, t-shirts, etc given to people probably come from it which so many of us benefitted from.
DeleteThe money had gone round thereby they should rest and stop chasing shadows and START WORKING. Efcc shld be probed too.
You Ibos deserve your own country because you are morally sick Mao Akuh. I hope EFCC catches you and collects that money you chopped. Dirty fool. Thief.
DeleteEFCC take a chill pill, always arresting and looking for loots since 1900, yet naija economy still hard like biscuit bone!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is how someone I know well went to several Abuja for several meetings with diezani for some stuff. They never got to meet her cos each time she'll be telling them story and changing appointments. He's thanking God now the whole thing didn't work out cos EFCC would have been after him since the whole thing had to do with diezani. Sometimes disappointments are blessings in disguise
ReplyDeleteVery serious matter.
ReplyDeleteLol. Read this funny akpos jokes here
Toothless bulldogs should leave this guy alone. He gave 60$ million for elections, so what is there own. The money they have been collecting what have they done with it.
ReplyDeleteUseless APC party. looking for whom to blame on their failures
Stella, sometimes you raise doubts for some of us as to your journalistic abilities. Haba!
ReplyDeletePeters released a statement in MAY 2016, and EFCC declared him wanted in AUGUST 2016, that is 3 MONTHS LATER!!! Does that the timeline imply they simply declared him wanted because he said he had not been invited?
Na wah o!
Ask her o!
DeleteThis man wey don turn lord of the skies nor go return come face EFCC until after Buhari don comot for 2019.
ReplyDeleteLord of the skies..hahaha
DeletePolitically motivated witch-hunt and victimization
ReplyDelete...and the plot thickens!
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Little do they know about Mr peters they wont see him in the next 20years hes good at going on exiles. but surely he will be back. lols
ReplyDeleteHe's on the run. I hear he was in an African country but he's now on one of those islands.
ReplyDeleteWherever he is trust me they will smoke him out.
ReplyDeleteYOU ARE A FOOL FOR INSULTING IGBOS
ReplyDeleteWell i know this man very well. I have worked for the wife. He is from Delta state not Ebonyi state.
ReplyDeleteHe has been a rich man before politics stuff. I doubt if they can see him any time soon cos the family is not based here any more.
YOU ARE A FOOL FOR INSULTING IGBOS
ReplyDelete