The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Gombe Zonal Office, has arrested Mr Ambore Enoch, the Commandant, Nigerian Peace Corps, Gombe over alleged extortion of money for employment purposes.
Mr Bello Adamu, Public Relations Officer of the anti-graft agency in the zone, who made this known in a release on Wednesday, said the financial impropriety amounted to N54m.
Adamu said the arrest followed a petition by some aggrieved members of the corps who called on EFCC to carry out preliminary investigation into their claims.
According to him, the suspect had already withdrawn the sum of N3.5m for personal use from the deposits, believed to have been paid for issuance of employment letters, uniforms and other kits.
“Gombe Zonal Command of EFCC has arrested one Ambore Enoch, Commandant Nigerian Peace Corps, Gombe State Command for financial impropriety bordering on employment scam and extortion of money from the general public.
“The extortion was done under the pretext of offering them appointment into their organisation and provision of training kit amounted to N54million.
“ The arrest was prompted following a petition written by some aggrieved members of the Corps of Gombe State Command after which the Commission did their preliminary investigation before inviting the state commandant for questioning.
“Investigation into the case by the commission revealed that the victims (mostly youths) were deceived to pay various sums ranging from N3,000 to N60,000 into the Corps’ account domiciled.
“ Based on investigation, the money was paid into one of the new generation banks amounting to N54 million. This happened between December 2016 and March 2017.
“It was discovered that out of the money realised from the corps account, the Commandant withdrew the sum of N3.5m for personal use.
“He also transferred the sum of N20 million into his personal account and remitted the sum of N18.7m into Corps account at the Headquarters, Abuja,’’ he said.
Adamu noted that investigation into the matter was still ongoing and suspect would be charged to court at the end of investigation.