N114m Fraud: Abia Govt Reacts to Arrest of Soldier Aided by Otti

Governor Alex Otti's administration has responded to the arrest of a soldier it recently promised aid, citing a N114m fraud probe by the Army.

Staff Sergeant Amoke Simon in military fatigues prior to his arrest by the Nigerian Army for alleged financial crimes.

UMUAHIA – A Nigerian Army non-commissioned officer, Staff Sergeant Amoke Simon, was apprehended by military authorities on allegations of a N114 million fraud. The arrest occurred just days after the soldier was received by the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, who had promised him medical assistance.

The state’s position was clarified in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma. It was noted by the government that the soldier’s detention is directly linked to fraudulent activities recently uncovered by the military high command.

According to Ekeoma, the state was approached by a non-governmental organisation to provide support for Amoke due to an injury sustained during his service. It was stressed by the administration that the soldier’s injury was not sustained within Abia State, though he had previously been deployed there.

Humanitarian Grounds vs. Criminal Allegations

The Governor’s intervention was described as a purely compassionate gesture. It was maintained that the administration possesses a consistent track record of assisting security personnel and citizens facing hardship. However, the government was firm in its stance regarding fiscal responsibility.

"The government is not Father Christmas," Ekeoma stated.

It was revealed that a request for due diligence was made by the state prior to the release of any funds. This internal scrutiny may have alerted the military authorities to the suspect’s activities. The government has since expressed full support for the disciplinary actions being taken by the Nigerian Army.

The Port Harcourt Arrest

The suspect was intercepted at the Port Harcourt International Airport. He was reportedly attempting to board a flight to Abuja when he was taken into custody by military intelligence.

Investigations suggest that Amoke allegedly falsified his involvement in the 2010 neutralisation of the notorious kidnap kingpin, Obioma Nwankwo, popularly known as Osisikankwu. These claims were reportedly used to secure underserved benefits and recognition from various stakeholders and sub-nationals.

The Abia State Government has reiterated that it will not interfere with the military's internal justice system. While humanitarian aid remains a priority for the Otti administration, it was affirmed that such support will only be extended to individuals of proven integrity.

The case has drawn significant attention from security stakeholders across the Niger Delta. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to sanitise the ranks of the armed forces amidst current macro-economic challenges.

Obgist | Nigeria News, Celebrity Scoop, International Gist and Tech News