The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission quizzed former governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. Martins Elechi for eight hours on Tuesday, while former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, will also be appearing at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja Wednesday.
Furthermore, in a move to ensure that former Katsina State governor, Ibrahim Shema, gives account of how he spent the state’s resources while in power, the EFCC has invited four top officials of the state government for questioning over some financial transactions.
EFCC had on January 29, 2015 questioned the former governor’s son, Nnanna, on allegations of money laundering and embezzlement.
Elechi, who was then a sitting governor, was exempted while in office by because he had constitutional immunity against prosecution. Reports indicate that Elechi arrived the commission at 10am and was quickly ushered into the interrogation room where he was questioned from 10am to 6pm over allegations bordering on the theft of millions of naira in the asphalt contract for the 13 Local Government Secretariats and Headquarters.
Till date, only six out of the 13 LGs executed the contract though monies were approved and paid for all the LGs, according to the petition. The contract was also allegedly awarded to the son of the former governor, Elechi Nnanna Elechi.
Also, the former governor was questioned concerning the expenditure of funds earmarked for the centenary celebration.
Towards the celebration, a supervisory committee under the Commissioner for Local Government, Celestine Nwali, allegedly deducted the sum of N1million from each of the 13 LGs for the purchase and production of T-Shirts for the celebration but there was no evidence of T-shirts produced for the celebration.
Also, there are issues arising from alleged deductions from stabilisation fund account of the state government (i.e. one third of the state revenue) for the financing of Labour Party.
A concerned indigene of the state, had in a petition told the EFCC that Elechi awarded contracts to his family company managed by his son, Nnanna. Contracts from the state and local governments running into millions of naira remain un-executed a month after the governor vacated Government House, Abakalaiki.
Reports indicate that the Accountant General of Kano state was interrogated by EFCC agents in Abuja on Tuesday in connection with a petition against the former governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, by pensioners.
The pensioners demanded that Kwankwaso be invited to answer for about N2 billion pensioners trust money.
The pensioners also alleged that the accountant general should be made to answer for withholding about N10 billion belonging to the state pensioners.
According to the reports, the EFCC has also begun investigations into the activities of former Katsina state Governor Ibrahim Shema. Daily Trust quotes some sources saying that some key officials of the state were to appear before the commission tod over questionable financial dealings between 2011-2015.
The officials include the Accountant General, Permanent Secretaries ministry of works as well as agriculture and the Managing Director of the state Road Maintenance Agency.
Their invitation letters seen by Daily Trust in Katsina said the officials were being invited in relation ‘to a case in which the need to obtain certain clarification from them became imperative’.
The officials according to the documents are to come along with all allocations made to the state and local governments from the federation account from 2011-2015.
Others are fund releases made to the road maintenance agency, ministry of works, housing, transportation, agriculture and sports from 2011-2015 as well as statutory budget of the state within the period.
All contracts awarded from 2011-2015, yearly budget of the same period, actual fund releases to the ministries and agencies and actual expenditure from 2011-2015, are also expected to be provided by the officials.
It will be recalled that in 2013, the general manager of the state housing authority was equally invited for allegedly obtaining money under false pretence, and fraud. The officer in charge was asked to come along with all relevant documentation regarding land allocated to the state by FCDA.
When contacted, the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren said he was not aware if the officials visited the EFCC office in Abuja for any clarifications on financial dealings in the state.
However, sources at the commission told our correspondent in confidence that some local government chairmen in Katsina state have started coming to the EFCC headquarters to answer questions over ongoing financial crimes investigations.
The sources said the other state officials may arrive later to make clarifications or give details on certain financial dealings.
Former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido is also expected to honour invitation of the anti-graft agency tomorrow.
