According to Sahara Reporters, Aisha Rimi who recently assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) after being appointed by President Bola Tinubu, has been indicted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Rimi was indicted alongside Lagos socialite Folorunsho Coker, who is reportedly her estranged husband. EFCC informed a Lagos High Court about the diversion of N3 billion from the account of the Lagos State Government Number Plate Production Authority (LSGNPPA) during Coker’s tenure as managing director.
The EFCC investigator, Mr. Olamide Sadiq submitted an affidavit supporting an ex parte application to freeze the account used for the alleged fraud. The investigation was initiated based on intelligence received in 2017 by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit regarding suspicious transactions involving the account of Rimi and Partners. The EFCC found substantial inflows exceeding N3 billion from LSGNPPA into an account allegedly owned by Aisha Rimi. The investigation indicated that Rimi was the major partner in Rimi and Partners and had control over Ekosina Investment Ltd, which received significant transfers from LSGNPPA.
Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court ordered the freezing of 32 bank accounts associated with the alleged fraud pending the conclusion of EFCC investigations. These accounts included Rimi and Partners Ekosina Investment Ltd SW Properties Ltd, Imira Trade and Global Services Ltd, Lofty Investment Nigeria Ltd, Pure Technical Services Ltd and Cablepoint Ltd, among others.