By Seye Olumide
A UNITED States (U.S.)-based Nigerian lawyer, Mr. Ephraim Emeka Ugwuonye, was on Sunday arrested by the State Security Service (SSS) at the Murtala Muhammed Airport and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said Ugwuonye's arrest was in connection with a $20 million property he sold on behalf of the Federal Government in the U.S. last year and failed to remit the part of the proceeds to the government coffers.
According to Babafemi, "Ugwuonye sold a property worth $20 million in U.S. last year and he is supposed to remit $1.6 million to the government but he refused, claiming that the money was his based on the service he rendered to government. This is wrong. That was why he was arrested."
However, Ugwuonye's relations have called on President Goodluck Jonathan, the Inspector-General of Police and the chairman of the EFCC for his immediate release as no charge had been brought against him after 48 hours of his arrest.
His younger brother, Uchenna, said Ugwuonye has been denied access to communication while no charge was brought against him over 48 hours since his arrest and detention
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