Ex-NCDMB Boss, Wabote Debunks EFCC Arrest, Clarifies Probe

Peter Uzoho

The immediate-past Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote has debunked reports of his purported arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A report yesterday had claimed that Wabote was arrested over NCDMB’s investments in a modular refinery conceptualised by Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for Brass Island in Bayelsa State.

But responding to the claims in a statement sent to THISDAY, yesterday, Wabote denied ever being arrested by EFCC, insisting that he made a routine visit to the agency and left thereafter.

He stated that he honoured EFCC’s routine invitation on Tuesday, arrived at 2pm and left by 6.30pm, after writing his statement.
 “I was supposed to go there on the 29th of October but I wrote to them to say that I would be travelling out of the country and I will come when I return. Yesterday I walked in and they took my statement and I came home and slept”, Wabote said.

He explained that there was no fraud case involving Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, rather it was the case of a company that was having cash flow challenges.

He also debunked the allegation that NCDMB under his leadership made a bad investment in Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited.

According to him: “We invested in about 17 different opportunities and most of them are progressing, the only one that has a challenge is the Atlantic refinery.

“The promoter has not walked away from the project. He has written to the NCDMB, telling the board to give him a plan so he can buy them out. Even in the board meeting, they have taken a resolution.

“He said he has a cash flow challenge and he will complete the project, but if you are not prepared to come along with me, agree with me a plan so that I can buy you out. So it is just a business that has a challenge. It has nothing to do with fraud and nothing to do with scam.”
He expressed disappointment that some media persons will fabricate falsehood just to destroy his reputation.