There were indications last night that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, might spread its dragnet in the investigation of its latest discovery of about $115 million in Fidelity Bank allegedly lodged by a former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Allison Madueke.

The money, according to the anti-corruption agency, was meant for the 2015 elections. It was allegedly distributed to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission in 36 states of the federation and was allegedly contributed by some oil companies and the then Petroleum Minister

It was learnt last night, that the EFCC might invite some of the INEC staff named in the payment scheme, as well as some of the executives of the companies involved in the deal. As at last night, the EFCC was still holding the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc.,  Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo. Okonkwo and Martins Izuogbe, the bank’s head of operations are being held by the anti-graft agency.

Sources said he was still being interrogated as at yesterday evening. But some officials of his bank insisted that the bank was doing everything it could to secure Okonkwo’s release, even if on administrative bail.

Okonkwo was arrested on Wednesday over allegations that Alison-Madueke asked him to release the money to some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in some states, ostensibly to compromise the electoral process. A source at the antigraft agency, who spoke with CEOAFRICA source New Telegraph in confidence as at the time of filing this report, said the bank’s chief was still with the Commission. He, however, did not say whether he would be released on administrative bail or not. “Yes, he is still here. There is also the possibility that we will invite more people who are involved in this, once his interrogation and investigation are concluded.

Even those who are feigning ignorance now, will be confronted with the payment details. So, you just watch”, said a source at the agency. Yesterday, Fidelity Bank said that the said transactions were duly reported, as required by the relevant regulators. A statement signed by the bank’s management reads: “Our attention has been drawn to reports in the media on investigations into transactions undertaken by the bank in the normal course of business in 2015.

“The transactions are now the subject matter of investigations by the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). “We can confirm that the transactions were duly reported as required by the regulators and the bank is cooperating fully with the authorities on the investigation. “We assure our numerous stakeholders, including our customers that we are working assiduously towards a quick resolution of the issues.”

Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) denied any knowledge of the money, which the EFCC said was paid to some officials of the commission. In a telephone interview yesterday, INEC’s Director, Voter Education and Publicity (VEP), Oluwale Osaze-Uzzi, said he was not aware of such payment. “We are not aware of any such payment,” he said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) had challenged the outcome of elections in Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Delta State, at the tribunals. The matter was pursued up to the Supreme Court, where the governorship elections were awarded to the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Appeal Court, however, ordered rerun elections in some federal and state constituencies in these states.