EFCC Carry Out Stern Investigation On Ex-Governors

Vigorous investigation has begun with some ex-governors like Martin Elechi, former governor of Ebonyi state and Sullivan Chime, former governor of Enugu state. 
On the heels of alleged laundering of state funds, three ex-governors may also have been in EFCC’s watch list.

These former governors whose cases may be seriously considered by the EFCC include Babangida Aliyu of Niger state, Isa Yuguda of Bauchi state and Gabriel Suswam of Benue state.

Interestingly, the three former governors reportedly left the country shortly after the change of government in their respective states on May 29 20115. 

 

However, the EFCC may cash-in on the anti-corruption posturing of President Buhari to press charges against these ex-governors.

In Niger state, the new government led by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has asked for the immediate refund of the N2.9 billion, allegedly obtained illegally by the immediate past government on the eve of departure. 

According to reports, Aliyu left a debt of N57bn for his successor. This immediately prompted the Niger state House of Assembly directive to Governor Bello to probe how his predecessor the state’s resource when he held sway as governor for eight years. 

In July, six vehicles allegedly taken away without due diligence of the law by the former governor Aliyu Babagida and his wife Hajiya Jummai Babangida Aliyu, were recovered at their Abuja home.

This was disclosed in a statement by Ibrahim Dooba, the chief press secretary to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.

The governor’s spokesperson said the vehicles were two Range Rover Jeeps, two saloons and a Mercedes Benz station wagon, as well as Hilux van recovered from one of his aides.

The EFCC is said to have started the probe of numerous petitions filed against the former governor, all bothering on alleged corrupt enrichment at the expense of the state’s resources.

In the similar vein, the current government of Bauchi state is said to be pushing for investigation by the EFCC of former governor Isa Yuguda on alleged treasury looting.

Just before handing over, a special committee set up by Governor Mohammed Abubakar found out that ex-governor Isa Yuguda gave out 64 cars to politicians, former commissioners, special advisers and top civil servants.

The state government in a statement last month revealed that over 70 vehicles, N600 million in generators and a number of air conditioners were recovered from officials of the administration of the former governor Isa Yuguda. 

This came after the state government had seized 22 vehicles from the four wives of the former governor.

In Benue state, former governor Gabriel Suswam disclosed that his administration will be leaving a debt profile of N9.2bn behind for the present administration of Samuel Ortom just before leaving the country on President Muhammadu Buhari’s inauguration ceremony.

Governor Ortom who could not stomach the alleged looting of the state’s treasury was left with no other option than to go borrowing.

In July, the former first lady of the state Yemisi Suswam was alleged to have looted N100million worth of property.

 

Gabriel Suswam may currently be under watch by the anti-graft agencies following the allegations of high level of pillaging of state’s treasury levelled against him.

The EFCC had earlier swooped three former governors alongside their sons over the alleged financial sleaze that occurred in the administration of the former state chief executives.