Dumebi Kachikwu, Kema Chikwe's ex son-in-law, held in alleged N750m scam

Popular Abuja-based multi-millionaire businessman Dumebi Kachikwu, who used to be married to former Aviation minister Kema Chikwe's daughter, Somachi Chikwe, is being held by the EFCC over alleged N750million scam. Full report from Sahara Reporters below..

A former son-in-law to ex- aviation minister, Kema Chikwe, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a case of obtaining by false pretence. Dumebi Kachikwu, an Abuja-based multi-millionaire was arrested on the evening of Friday, January 9th when he turned himself over to EFCC custody. EFCC operatives had previously raided his No 27 Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja home in the early hours of same day and executed a search warrant of the property.

On December 23, 2014 the EFCC had invited Kachikwu for questioning following a petition from Ndudi Elumelu, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Health, who until recently was governorship aspirant in Delta State. The petitioner claimed that Kachikwu fleeced him of N750million under the guise of helping him to actualize his dream of emerging flag bearer of the PDP in Delta State. Dumebi Kachikwu is a business associate of a national vice chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to emerging reports, Kachikwu had allegedly flaunted his connection to bigwigs of the PDP at national and state levels, telling the petitioner that he needed the money to persuade the executives of the party in supporting his political ambitions in Delta State. However, Kachikwu failed to deliver on his promise as the complainant was unable to secure a coveted political position in Delta State. Kachikwu was initially supposed to report to the EFCC on December 24, 2014 but failed to do so.

A source close to the investigation informed SaharaReporters that the suspect had pleaded for additional time and promised to hand himself over to the EFCC on January 8. “When we waited for him on January 8 and he did not report we decided to act, having already secured a warrant for his arrest,” the source informed SaharaReporters. Several incriminating documents as well as five luxury vehicles were recovered during an operation that lasted for about two hours. At press time, Kachikwu was still being interrogated by investigators at the Idiagbon House, home of the operations department of the EFCC.