Andrew Torhile Uchi, the personal assistant to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over alleged N10 billion money laundering scandal.
Sources within the Commission confirmed that Uchi has been with the EFCC since Monday, after being invited following a petition that detailed the properties he acquired in Abuja, Jos, Makurdi, Gboko, and Wannune in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State, valued at over N6 billion.
Further investigations have revealed that between December 2023 and now, the EFCC has traced approximately N1.6 billion of the money allegedly used to purchase luxury cars through four new-generation banks, which were then sold to nine car dealers in Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos, Jos, and Makurdi.
It was also reported that two Bureau de Change operators are under investigation by the EFCC for their alleged role in the money laundering scheme, as much of the money credited to Uchi came from their companies.
The EFCC is also working to obtain court approval to extend their investigation into properties in Abuja, Jos, and other areas to verify the source of the income and how the properties were acquired.
Sources say that Andrew Torhile Uchi, the suspect, remains in the custody of the EFCC and has made some confessions regarding how he allegedly obtained the funds, which are widely believed to be proceeds from bribes.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, for a comment on the situation have been unsuccessful, as he could not be contacted.
