THE Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption Commission (SPFACC) has arrested a middle-aged man, simply identified Tunde for alleged withdrawal and diversion N59M from his father’s account days after his death.
It was gathered that the deceased has two wives and the first wife gave birth to three children, while the second one birthed only one child for him.
According to a narration from a family source, “Mysteriously, the man died on the 11th, the first wife which is supposed to be the heir apparent, died on the 14th, the first child of the late wife also died on the 16 then the last child who lived in Ore, Ondo State died on the 18th of the same month. All the tragedy within one month.
“It was also gathered that the only child who escaped death was the one living in abroad, while he returned eventually with the hope to uncover the mystery behind his father, mother and siblings’ deaths that occurred sometime in August, 2024.”
No cause or causes had been linked to the mysterious deaths that occurred in Ore, Odigbo local government area.
Confirming the story, Prof. Adewole Adeyeye, the Secretary of the anti-graft agency, confirmed the development, saying the agency has launched an immediate investigation into the diversion.
He said an investigation into the matter led to the arrest of the suspect who is the biological son of the deceased.
“The man has two wives. So, the first wife gave birth to three children, while the second one birthed, only one child for the deceased.
“The man died on the 11th, the first wife which is supposed to be the heir apparent, died on the 14th, the first child of the late wife also died on the 16 then the last child who lives in Ore died on the 18th of the same month. All the tragedy within one month.
“The only child who did not die was the one living in abroad. He returned eventually with the hope to uncover the mystery behind her father, mother and sibling deaths. He went to the bank and discovered that his late father had N59M and was withdrawn from the account after he died.
“So, immediately he briefed us, we swung into action. The culprit which is the second wife’s son and his mother has been arrested by our agency. He confessed to illegally Withdrawing the N59M but denied having any connection with the death of his father, stepmother and half sister.”
He noted that, “The father also had about four buildings, lock-up shops, and a resort Centre and plots of land but the boy also sold everything. We’ve been able to retrieve part of the money. N10M to be precise. Actually, it’s a collective money which was misappropriated by one person. So we have paid great attention to the family. And we’re trying to settle the matter amicably, since it’s a family matter.”
Prof. Adewole however said the agency can’t establish the connection and linkage between the mysterious deaths and the misappropriation.
He added that the commission, led by Chairman Justice Williams Akin Akintoroye, has been working to strengthen anti-corruption efforts in Ondo State with by investigating petitions and complaints on corruption and financial crimes, with plans to prosecute offenders.