If there is one thing that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should always be commended for, it is that it never forgets. You can trust the anti-graft agency to periodically dredge up old cases, keeping accused persons on the hot seat, and encouraging the casting of aspersions their way. For First Bank Holdings MD and former Fidelity Bank MD/CEO, Nnamdi Okonkwo, things have hit differently. As a result, he has calmed down and is enjoying a quiet and peaceful lifestyle away from the limelight.
Okonkwo has taken to living under the radar. Despite the many events that characterized the third quarter of 2022, the man kept to himself, for the most part, leaving others to wonder whether or not he wanted to blaze a brilliant trail as First Bank Holdings MD as he did as Fidelity MD/CEO. However, the status quo remains the same, no small thanks to the EFCC and their constant reminders that they have not yet called it quits with him.
Not so long ago, it was reported that the EFCC had taken Okonkwo in for questioning. Further details later revealed that the interrogation was directly related to the issue of the alleged disappearance of $153 million into the pockets of Nigeria’s former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke. After all, as many would remember, Okonkwo was reported to have assisted Alison-Madueke with some of the money after she had allegedly stolen it from the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission (NNPC).
Although the issue remains largely unsolved, EFCC cracks down on Okonkwo and a few others that are involved in the case. As a result, Okonkwo has not been able to enjoy the limelight since taking over First Bank’s MD position from U. K. Eke.
Then again, maybe Okonkwo’s flying under the radar is at its end. Who knows, he might just decide to live as brightly as he once did, ignoring the consequence of inciting the wrath of the EFCC. But that is not now. Now, Okonkwo is a tame tiger leading a low-key lifestyle.
2022-10-07