The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday carried out an early morning raid of the Abuja residence of former Bayelsa State governor, Timiprie Sylva’s brother-in-law and another top associate of the governor, leading to their arrest.
Patrick Umoh, an aide to Sylva’s brother-in-law, Richie Tommy, has however described the arrest as a continuation of the government’s harassment and persecution of the former governor and everyone associated with him, adding that Tommy who is still under detention has been denied access to his lawyer.
When contacted, spokesman of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, who confirmed the arrests to LEADERSHIP WEEKEND said the raid on the homes of the former governor’s associates was in line with an ongoing investigation of corruption charges filed against him by the commission.
The EFCC gave the names of the two associates as Ashgwa Kelvin Iyke, and Tommy Richie Imoh. The latter it was gathered is Timiprie’s brother-in-law.
LEADERSHIP WEEKEND further learnt that among items recovered in the raid were vital documents such as Certificates of Occupancy obtained in various names, foreign currencies, and other key documents related to the ongoing charges against the former governor of the state.
Uwujaren said: “It is true that operatives of the EFCC raided the homes of two close associates of Timiprie Sylva, the former Bayelsa State governor. Our operatives were there early this morning to conduct thorough search of the homes of these men.