A lawyer and senatorial aspirant of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Enugu West District, Ogochukwu Onyema, has dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into a fresh political financing controversy, alleging he was pressured into paying ₦20 million under questionable circumstances during the party’s screening process.
In a petition dated June 3 and addressed to the EFCC Chairman, Onyema accused members of the party’s senatorial screening committee of engaging in misrepresentation, coercion, and abuse of office, which he claims resulted in what he described as extortion.
He urged the anti-graft agency to investigate the circumstances surrounding the payment and recover the funds, insisting that anyone found culpable should be prosecuted for alleged offences including fraud, false pretence, conspiracy, and unlawful inducement.
According to a petition filed through his lawyer, Ayomide Ahmed, Onyema explained that after purchasing the party’s Expression of Interest form for ₦3 million, he was later contacted by a party leader who shared a bank account number (FCMB: 1046691859) and requested a voluntary financial contribution toward party development.
He said he initially transferred ₦500,000 into the account without pressure, describing it as a goodwill contribution.
However, the situation reportedly escalated during the screening exercise, when committee members allegedly informed him that financial contributions were tied to aspirants’ perceived seriousness and eligibility.
Onyema claimed the panel told him senatorial aspirants were expected to contribute ₦20 million, while House of Representatives and governorship aspirants were expected to pay ₦10 million and ₦50 million respectively, as a demonstration of “capacity.”
Although the payments were described as voluntary, he alleged that the manner of communication created the impression that compliance was necessary for consideration.
He further stated that, after initially objecting, he eventually paid an additional ₦20 million into the same party account and submitted proof to the screening committee, relying on what he believed to be official assurances.
Onyema also alleged that other aspirants who did not meet similar financial demands were still being considered for party tickets, suggesting what he described as a double standard within the process.
Meanwhile, tensions within the party deepened as actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo reiterated allegations of financial inducements in the NDC’s nomination process, claiming aspirants were pressured to make payments to secure electoral tickets.
Okonkwo further accused key figures within the party of being involved in the alleged scheme, claims that have continued to generate controversy amid threats of legal action from party leadership over earlier public statements.