The Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom in the oil-rich coastal area of Ondo State, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan, on Thursday denied the reports that he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) over money laundering and financial crimes.
The monarch was reportedly said to have been arrested, questioned by the EFCC by an online news medium, linking him to be one of the beneficiaries of the fuel subsidy scam.
Reacting to the report, Oba Akinruntan expressed surprise over his alleged invitation and arrest by the EFCC saying the anti graft agency never invited or arrested him.
He said “I am hearing this from you for the first time I am not in the EFCC custody and they have never invited me.
“I am on my way from Lagos to Ugbo. I left Lagos this morning and I’m presently in Ijebu-Ode on my way to Ugbo. This is the handiwork of my detractors.
“I am a law abiding Nigerian and I see this as an attempt to smear my image. I am not arrested or invited by EFCC. This is unfounded, untrue and I see this as a calculated attempt to dent my image.”
Oba Akinruntan, also known as Obat, is the chairman of Obat Oil Limited and the paramount ruler of Ugbo kingdom
An online news medium had reported that the monarch was initially questioned on Friday, February 12, whereupon he was directed to return on Monday, February 15 to face more questioning saying “agents of the commission are looking into the monarch’s involvement in a huge money laundering scam and other financial crimes.