Ex-Customs Boss Dikko In Trouble, Arrested By EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday arrested former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko,  for allegedly diverting N40bn from the coffers of the NCS.

Dikko, it was learnt, had been on the radar of the EFCC for several months but his whereabouts had remained unknown.

However, the former Customs boss arrived at the headquarters of the anti-graft agency around 10am on Thursday where he remained until press time.

A detective at the commission, who did not want his name in print, said, “You will recall that we have been looking for Dikko for quite some time. He turned himself in around 10am today (Thursday) and he is being quizzed over  two key allegations bordering on  criminal conspiracy, diversion of public funds, theft, abuse of office and living above legitimate means.

“There is also a further allegation that he diverted over N40bn from the Customs’ coffers. The funds were drawn from the proceeds of the seven per cent cost of collection and one per cent comprehensive import supervision scheme.

“He is being grilled over the source of the funds with which he acquired the mansion valued at over N2bn located at 1, Audu Ogbeh Street, Jabi Abuja.”

The EFCC operatives had on January 8, raided the residence of the ex-Customs boss.

Dikko is also being investigated over a N3bn vote spent by the NCS a few days to the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhariin 2015.

The said cash, which was allegedly spent on the directive of the Presidency, was regarded as “unjustifiably used” by the Customs’ management.