Simbi’s visit to EFCC linked to official duties
Sopuruchi Onwuka
Against rumours and reports that the former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr Simbi Wabote, was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), facts have emerged that he only visited the anti-graft agency to assist them with credible information.
A news report had on Wednesday claimed that Wabote was arrested over NCDMB’s investments in a modular refinery conceptualized by Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for Brass Island in Bayelsa State.
Engr Wabote, who just returned from trip, told media representatives that the reports of his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were misleading.
He clarified in a conversation later on Wednesday that he only made a routine visit to the agency to honor an invitation, just like they would invite any other person.
He stated that he arrived EFCC’s office on Tuesday arrived at 2pm and left by 6.30pm after writing his statement.
“I was supposed to go there on the 29th of October but I wrote to them to say that I would be travelling out of the country and I will come when I return. Yesterday I walked in and they took my statement and I came home and slept,” Engr Wabote explained.
He said there was no fraud case involving Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, “rather it is the case of a company that is having cash flow challenges.”
He also debunked the allegation that NCDMB under his leadership made a bad investment in Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited.
According to him, “we invested in about 17 different opportunities and most of them are progressing, the only one that has a challenge is the Atlantic refinery.
“The promoter has not has walked away from the project. He has written to the NCDMB, telling the Board to give him a plan so he can buy them out. Even in the Board meeting they have taken a resolution.
“He said he has a cash flow challenge and he will complete the project, ‘but if you are not prepared to come along with me, agree with me a plan so that I can buy you out.’ So it is just a business that has a challenge. It has nothing to do with fraud and nothing to do with scam,” Engr Wabote stated.
He expressed disappointment at lazy journalists who fail to get complete information before publishing false, malicious and misleading stories to destroy someone’s reputation.
