RMD in EFCC mess over N50m scandal

Who is lying against RMD? How can anyone say he is on d run from the EFCC over 50million Naira? That kind peanut? What would he be doing stealing a paltry sum in the midst of billions and trillions? Abeg RMD, speak out now, we dey wait. No fall my hand o!

The above, a Facebook status update by Moji Danisa aptly captures what’s in the minds of many, concerning recent news about actor-politician Richard Mofe-Damijo.

Since news broke last week that Richard Mofe Damijo is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for his alleged involvement in a N50 million embezzlement scam, the entire industry has been buzzing, with many hoping the EFCC story is just a joke.

And like Danisa, many waited for days, refusing to reach a conclusion until the man at the centre of it all came out to state his side. But mum is the word so far.

Multiple reports last week say RMD who is currently serving as the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in the Delta State Government is wanted for interrogation by the anti-corruption agency in Abuja to explain the disappearance of N50m.

Sahara Reporters says the EFCC already has in its net, one Mrs Nkem Ajufo, the Acting General Manager of the Delta State Tourism Board who the agency claims connived with her boss, RMD to embezzle the said money.

The money, NET gathered, was initially meant for a 2007 Delta Expo event which never held because the fund were not released until May, 2012 under the watch of RMD, the present commissioner of the ministry.

‘The fund disappeared without a trace’, said one source.

It was also alleged that Mr. Mofe Damijo had issued a cheque to the tourism board in the name of its acting GM, Ms. Ajufo who in turn deposited same into her First Bank account with account number (3006131619) operated under her name, Nkem Philo Ajufo.

But there’s no mention of this particular case on the EFCC website. The EFCC usually updates its website with details of on-going cases and convictions. The agency did not immediately respond to our enquiries.

Last year, the 52 year-old commissioner threatened to sue popular blogger, Linda Ikeji for reporting that he had acquired a Lagos property worth about N250million.

No comments yet from RMD and the ministry, as repeated enquiries were yet to be answered as at Sunday night.

It’s uncertain if he’s back from the US, where he recently attended the 55th annual Grammys. And he’s not responded to fan queries on Facebook and Twitter, seeking to know if he’s indeed ‘on the run’.