How Nollywood Stakeholders Surprised EFCC Over N15 Billion Fraud Allegations
22nd Jan. 2016
Stakeholders in the Nigerian movie industry were quick to demand Emeka Mba’s release from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following many opinions that he was an astute leader at the helms of affairs of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
Pix: Emeka Mba, NBC Boss.
The director-general of the NBC, Emeka Mba, was arrested on Monday, January 11 in Abuja over several allegations of financial misappropriation. He was grilled for eight days before he was finally released on Tuesday, January 19.
According to The Leadership, the anti-graft commission reportedly went to the headquarters of the NBC and, after looking through some computer files and financial documents at the office, took Mba away for questioning.
Following this, several key individuals in the Nigerian movie industry reacted the the arrest, asking that Mba be released immediately or charged to court.
The group held that since the NBC boss had spent over 48 hours in custody of the EFCC, he ought to have been released or charged to court as stipulated by the law.
Charles Novia, who reportedly paid Mba a visit at the EFCC headquarters on Sunday, January 17, described him as a technocrat who has professionally changed sectors of the movie industry over the years through his professionalism.
According to The Leadership, Novia released a post to this effect in which he said:
“I stand with Emeka Mba whom I have known for many years as a fine gentleman and professional/technocrat. Now, I am not the only one in the broadcast and entertainment industry who feels that way. Almost everyone in these sectors are shocked and upset at what is happening to a man who professionally has turned around sectors of our industry over the years through his astuteness and dedication to duty.”
Joining in the campaign for Mba’s release are other Nollywood stakeholders such as Andy Amenechi, Fidelis Duker and many others.
Sources said he was granted administrative bail on Wednesday, January 13 but could not meet the conditions. NBC sources said the stipulated conditions were too stringent for him to get bail.
Responding to his arrest, Mba said he did not deserve the ill-treatments he received when all he did was revamp the broadcasting sector and help generate revenue for the nation through various viable policy implementations.
“I have given my best, turned around the NBC and made it a multi-billion naira yielding parastatal (even more than some ministries). I have shown the government how broadcasting can even fund the whole budget of this country alone. I have done my best. And now, through some politics and witch-hunt, they pat my back with this. Who takes this kind of thing? The officers here have heard my side of the story. Every document and paper vindicating my defence has been shown. Why I am still here is up to them. But I’m tired,” he reportedly said.
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