Just In : New EFCC Chairman Sets To Battle Ex-Governors, others, over diversion of multi-billion dollars, vows to reopen 25 abandoned cases (See names on the list)
In a determined move to tackle the lingering issue of multi-billion dollar diversions and corruption cases involving former governors, ministers, and senators, the newly appointed Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, is gearing up to take on a staggering twenty-five abandoned cases. Olukoyede’s confirmation as the EFCC Chairman by the Senate comes just four months after the suspension of the former chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa. Advertisements These cases have dragged on for several years, with some still under investigation and others stuck in legal limbo, leaving the nation in a state of suspense. The financial stakes involved in these high-profile cases are nothing short of astounding, with a staggering N772.2 billion and an additional $2.2 billion allegedly gone missing through money laundering, fund diversion, and misappropriation. Among the notable former governors who are the subject of these investigations are the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, his predecessor Ayo Fayose, former Zamfara State governor and incumbent Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and former Enugu State governor, Chimaroke Nnamani, to name a few.
Other high-profile individuals under scrutiny by the EFCC include former National Security Adviser Col Sambo Dasuki (retd.), former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke, and several others.
One case that gained significant attention was the invitation of Kayode Fayemi by the EFCC over allegations of N4 billion misappropriation during his tenure as governor. A money laundering petition against him was filed by an anonymous group.
In a similar vein, the former governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, faced allegations of diverting N70 billion from the state treasury. A controversy arose when he accused the former EFCC Chairman of demanding a $2 million bribe, with the EFCC claiming that Matawalle was under investigation for N70 billion fraud. Chimaroke Nnamani, a former governor of Enugu State, faced charges over an alleged N5.3 billion fraud, but the case was struck out in 2018. The EFCC expressed its intent to file fresh charges against Nnamani and his former aide, Sunday Anyaogu, but the status of these fresh charges remained uncertain.
The investigations extended to Abdullahi Adamu, the former governor of Nasarawa State and the immediate past chairman of the All Progressives Congress. He was accused of N15 billion fraud during his tenure as governor between 1999 and 2007. The former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who was also a presidential candidate, faced an EFCC interrogation over alleged non-remittance of N10 billion pension funds, the outcome of which remained undisclosed. Advertisements The EFCC had sought to investigate Peter Odili, the former governor of Rivers State, for alleged N100 billion fraud in 2012, despite a court injunction restraining the probe. The case’s status, whether it was eventually reopened, remained uncertain. The former governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji, and his sons, Chinedu and Ogbonna, were under investigation in 2021 for alleged misappropriation of public funds and money laundering amounting to N551 billion. In 2018, the EFCC accused him of mismanaging N27 billion disbursed to the state for Small and Medium Enterprise development. Danjuma Goje, the former governor of Gombe State, faced fraud allegations amounting to N5 billion. The EFCC initially handled the case but later handed it over to the office of the Attorney-General.
The case remained pending before the appellate court. Sokoto State’s former governor, Aliyu Wammako, was accused by the EFCC of diverting N15 billion, and though he was invited for interaction, he had not been charged in court. The former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, faced allegations of laundering about N19.2 billion through three companies, leading to the forfeiture of 48 houses allegedly belonging to him. The case was still unresolved. The list goes on, with multiple ex-governors and officials under various stages of investigation and trial.
The new leadership at the EFCC is expected to address these cases to their logical conclusions. It is evident that the EFCC faces a Herculean task in pursuing these cases, which involve substantial sums and have been beset by numerous challenges. As Olukoyede assumes his role as Chairman, the nation watches with anticipation to see if these long-standing cases will finally reach their long-awaited conclusions, and justice will be served. In the face of this immense challenge, Olukoyede and the EFCC appear resolute and determined to battle corruption and bring those responsible to justice.
The nation’s hope for transparency, accountability, and justice rests on their shoulders, as they continue the fight against corruption on multiple fronts.
