Onyuike Okereke

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has seized the passport of the Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Prof. Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke.

The commission had quizzed her on Wednesday for her role in the fundraiser by a group, ‘Africa for Obama’, in support of the presidential ambition of Senator Barack Obama of the Democratic Party in the United States.

The group reportedly raised about N100m during its dinner/concert in Lagos on August 11, 2008.

I was learnt that Okereke-Onyiuke’s passport was seized to prevent her from absconding abroad without the knowledge of the anti-graft body.

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The travel document was collected from her on Thursday when she reported at the Abuja headquarters of the EFCC as requested on Wednesday.

The commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Babafemi, confirmed that Okereke-Onyiuke was quizzed at the commission’s office on Thursday.

The Obama campaign organisation had distanced itself from the fundraiser by ‘Africa for Obama.’

On August 14, 2008, the Security and Exchange Commission reportedly demanded explanations from Okereke-Onyiuke, fearing that her role in ‘Africa for Obama’ was capable of affecting the country’s image abroad.

But the NSE chief had consistently maintained that the money raised by ‘Africa for Obama’ was not meant for Obama.

However, in newspaper advertorials on Thursday, the President of NSE, Mr. Oba Otudeko, said Okereke-Onyiuke’s action was in order.

According to him, individuals and institutions are free to express their opinions on any issue in whatever manner considered fit.

Otudeko said, “The Nigerian Stock Exchange does not get involved in partisan politics and no member of its staff is allowed to be registered card-carrying member of any political association.

“However, as private citizens they are at liberty to spend their time and financial resources as deem necessary.”

 

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