Procter & Gamble has distanced itself from a man arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Emmanuel Eze, 35, who was reported to be the head of sales for the company for allegedly embezzling over N20m company funds which he claimed to have spent on online sports betting.
In a disclaimer made available to Qed.ng on Wednesday by the company’s spokesman Oluwatosin Ojebisi, the consumer goods manufacturer said Mr Eze was never an employee of the company.
“The Procter & Gamble is not connected in any manner with the story regarding an unrelated individual, Emmanuel Chigozie Eze’s actions reported in media,” the disclaimer read.
“Emmanuel Chigozie Eze is not an employee of P&G and has never been an employee of Procter & Gamble Nigeria. There is absolutely no connection between the incident and the reported individual’s actions, with P&G.
“In view of this, P&G strongly advises that Nigerians beware of this spurious claim and publications. The general public should discountenance this falsehood in its entirety.”
The EFCC had said Eze was arrested along K-Line area of Ewet Housing Estate in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State following a petition. The petitioner alleged that Eze used his position to supply goods worth over N20m to customers and converted same for personal use.
According to the complainant, the suspect between March 2020 and January 2021, sold goods worth the said amount and fraudulently collected monies from various customers using his personal account rather than the company’s account.
The EFCC further said it was discovered that between July and December 2020, the suspect received over N18m from one of the company’s major customers (name withheld) for goods, which were not fully delivered. According to the customer, she is still expecting the balance of goods worth over N8m.
