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Tag: EFCC

  • Ex-Air chief Amosu, EFCC in plea bargain talks

    FORMER Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Adesola Amosu and those charged with him yesterday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that they have entered into plea bargain talks with the Federal Government.

    Air Marshal Amosu and two others are on trial for alleged conversion of over N21 billion.

    Arraigned with the former CAS by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are former Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Director of Finance & Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo and former NAF Chief of Accounts & Budgeting Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun.

    The commission said they, on or about March 5, 2014 in Lagos, conspired to convert N21.4 billion from NAF.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    The case began before Justice Mohammed Idris, but was re-assigned to Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke following Justice Idris’ elevation to the Court of Appeal.

    Yesterday, defence counsel Norrison Quakers (SAN) told Justice Aneke that the talks were still ongoing.

    He said: “The last time we were in court (April 16), we informed your Lordship about the move to expedite the resolution of this matter out of court.

    Read also: Alleged N21b: Ex-Air chief Amosu, others opt for plea bargain

    “We’re yet to conclude the resolution of the ‘conflict’ as it were. We need more time. All parties will soon hold a meeting for the purpose of dotting i’s and cross the t’s, which might require the appropriate processes being filed.”

    Prosecution counsel Idris Mohammed confirmed that talks were still ongoing.

    “We’re still discussing,” he said.

    Amosu held plea bargain talks with EFCC following his arraignment in June 2016, but the talks failed and trial started before Justice Idris.

    Defence counsel had on July 8, 2016, sought for time to conclude the out-of-court settlement, but it was learnt that the prosecution’s terms were stringent.

    Also in February last year, Amosu’s lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) said they were ready to re-open the plea bargain talks.

    Again, an agreement could not be reached, following which trial continued.

    EFCC had on January 16 obtained a court order forfeiting N2.2 billion recovered from Amosu to the Federal Government.

    Also forfeited was N101 million recovered from Solomon Enterprises, a company linked to him.

    EFCC had amended charge, reducing the number of defendants from 11 to three, removing the eight companies previously named in it.

    Justice Aneke adjourned until July 4 “for report of effort at plea bargaining”.

  • Navy hands over 22 suspected oil thieves, two vessels to EFCC

    Twenty-two suspects, two sea-going vessels and a wooden boat containing approximately 240,000 litres of a product suspected to be illegally-refined diesel were yesterday handed over by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Warri, Delta State.

    Addressing reporters during the handing over, the Commander of the NNS Delta, Commodore Ibrahim Dewu, warned those engaged in illegal activities within the area of operation of his command to desist.

    He noted that the Navy was determined to get the maritime environment covered so that there would be no escape route for criminals.

    Dewu, who spoke in company of other senior officers of the NNS Delta, including the Executive Officer (EO), Navy Captain Adeyemi Adewuyi, said the vessels, wooden boat, the product and the arrested crew members were  nabbed offshore Escravos River, engaged in transfer of the illicitly- acquired product on May 19.

    He said: “In a bid to secure and sanitise the area of operation of NNS Delta, on May 19, at 0130 hours, NNS Delta patrol team seized SD Waterman, MV NIPAL and two large wooden boats, offshore Escravos, carrying out illegal transfer of products. At the point of arrest, about 22 crew members were brought in after the arrest.

    “While bringing in the arrested vessels from Escravos, one of the large wooden boats was seriously taking in water and in the process went aground and sank. Efforts are ongoing to salvage the vessel. Some of the drums and products were recovered and brought back to NNS Delta.

    Read also: Navy to acquire more platforms to fight crime, says CNS

    “In view of this, we carried out our preliminary investigations and found the arrested vessels and crew members culpable of committing economic crime. Consequently, we decided to invite the EFCC to take over the case for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    “The product onboard is suspected to be illegally-refined AGO. At the point of arrest, one of the Cotonou boats, which was confiscated beside MV NIPAL, had about 150,000 litres. The vessel and the boat were seized in the process of starting the ship-to-ship transfer, while SD Waterman had already taken some of the products from another Cotonou boat, which was secured alongside the vessel.

    “There is about 80,000 litres in the boat beside SD Waterman, while about 10,000 litres had already been transferred into the vessel (SD Waterman).

    “Let me take this opportunity to warn and advise individuals or persons involved in this nefarious act to desist because the Navy will not stop from doing everything possible to sanitise our maritime domains.” .

    Speaking on behalf of the EFCC, a Principal Detective Superintendent of the commission from the Benin Zonal office, Mr. Richard Ogberaga, said investigation had begun into the circumstances surrounding the vessels, their crew members and the product found on them.

    “We have just taken over the vessels. There are two vessels; MV NIPAL and SD Waterman, with one Cotonou boat. We are also aware that there are 22 suspects, whom we have just taken over. We have already commenced investigation by telling officials of DPR here. They are starting with the sounding of the vessels to determine the quantity of product in them. We are also looking at quality; samples will be taken and quality analysis will be done

    “We are going to interview the suspects and find out the extent of their involvement and how they came about this product. We will brief you subsequently on developments as the investigation continues,” he said.

  • Patience Jonathan’s N200m suit against EFCC for hearing Oct. 16

    Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday fixed October 16 to hear a suit filed by former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    She is challenging a “no-debit order” placed on her account by the anti-graft agency.

    Justice Aneke took over the case from Justice Mohammed Idris, who was elevated to the Court of Appeal.

    The case came up for mention yesterday, with parties’ counsel giving assurances that all amendments would have been filed and served before the hearing date.

    EFCC, Skye Bank Plc (now Polaris Bank) and three companies – Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited and Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited – are the respondents.

    Mrs Jonathan, in the suit filed in 2016, is demanding N200 million damages. She is praying the court to compel the EFCC to immediately remove the “no-debit order” placed on her accounts with $9.8 million.

    REad also: Patience Jonathan received N700, 000 monthly salary for months after retirement -EFCC

    The First Lady’s aide, Sammie Somiari, in a supporting affidavit, said a former Special Adviser (SA) on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, helped Mrs Jonathan to open the accounts.

    Somiari said Mrs Jonathan is the sole signatory and that Dudafa opened only one of the accounts in her name while the others were in the companies’.

    The deponent said Mrs Jonathan operated the accounts with debit cards until EFCC placed the “no-deposit order”.

    But the EFCC said Mrs Jonathan does not run any business from which she could have earned such huge sums, being the wife of a former President, a civil servant and a retired Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State.

    “Investigation conducted by the first defendant (EFCC) revealed that the plaintiff is not the owner of the funds in the accounts of the third to fifth defendants (companies), which were discovered to be proceeds of fraudulent activities of Waripamo-Owei Emmanuel Dudafa,” EFCC said.

  • EFCC arrests Kwara Assembly Clerk over alleged N400m severance pay

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating alleged illegal payment of about N400 million each to some members of the Kwara State House of Assembly, it was gathered.

    Accordingly, the anti-graft body is quizzing Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Sola Gold and the Clerk of the House of Assembly, Kperogi Halimat Jummai , over the alleged payment.

    An EFCC source maintained that the payment did not follow due process.

    It was gathered that the 24 lawmakers were two weeks ago paid N400 million severance package, when their tenure is yet to expire.

    The petitioner said even though the lawmakers and members of the state executive council are entitled to severance package, it is the next administration that is supposed to pay the money, a source at the EFCC said.

    “More worrisome is the issue of furniture allowance running into hundreds of millions of naira, according to the petitioner which the lawmakers wanted it pay along with severance package,” the petitioner added.

    Speaker of the Assembly Dr. Ali Ahmed had in a letter confirmed that the lawmakers were entitled to severance package at the end of their tenure on June 7, this year.

    The letter reads: “In accordance with the provisions of the revenue mobilisation, allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), honourable members are entitled to 200 per cent of their annual basic salaries as their severance gratuity allowance at the end of their tenure of office.”

    The Clerk of the house confirmed that the lawmakers had received their severance package.

    She told the EFCC operatives that Governor  Abdulfatah Ahmed approved the payment of the package.

    She said: “In a meeting of the principal officers of the Kwara

    House of Assembly wherein I was scheduled to be the secretary, held on

    May 8, 2019, issue of severance gratuity to the honourable members was raised.

    “At the meeting, I informed the house that the governor had approved the payment. I added that members were expected to be paid after the expiration of their tenure of office. The house debated it and they overruled me.”

    Gold, on the other hand, wrote and sought for the approval of the severance gratuity and furniture allowances amounting to about N300 million for some members of the state executive council.

    The SSG, in a letter to the governor dated May 8, 2019, said: “Your

    Excellency, by virtue of the provisions of Kwara State remuneration of political and public office holders laws, certain category of political and public office holders are entitled to severance and furniture allowances of their basic salaries respectively upon successful completion of tenure.”

    He said while the lawmakers had received their monies, members of the state executive council are yet to receive their gratuity.

  • Beware of fifth columnists, Imo Governor replies Magu

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has advised the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to keep strictly to the mandate of the anti-graft body and avoid being a tool in hands of politicians.

    Magu had during a conference in London, disclosed that the Imo governor is under EFCC watch-list.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha said: “On Monday, May 20, 2019, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, Alhaji Ibrahim Magu was quoted to have told Journalists at a Press Conference in London that the Commission was investigating Governor Rochas Okorocha over the bailout fund.

    “Also on Friday, May 17, 2019 the Commission’s Zonal Head for South-East, Mr. Usman Imam held a Press Conference in Enugu where he told the world too that the Commission was investigating Governor Okorocha.

    “So, Mr. Imam holding his own press conference on Okorocha on Friday, May 17, 2019 in Enugu and the chairman of the commission himself, Magu, holding his own press conference also on Okorocha, on Monday, May 20, 2019, and only two days after, raises genuine concern. And has also added fillip to the governor’s earlier worry that those behind the drama over his Certificate of Return have not gone to sleep but have continued to spread their dragnets or tentacles.

    Read also: EFCC probe of Saraki not personal, says Magu

    “If you ask us, we won’t join issues with the EFCC as an Institution and with Alhaji Magu as an individual. Investigating individuals, governments, institutions etc, is part of the Commission’s own rules of engagement and nobody should prevent them or begrudge them for doing that. We only pray that the Commission should not allow undue infiltration.

    “Good enough, both Alhaji Magu and Mr. Imam never accused the governor of mismanagement or diversion, looking at the contents of their press conferences. They confirmed that the commission is in custody of the money. Out of the N8billion they quoted, they also confirmed that N7.9billion is what they blocked. Then, what is Owelle’s case? And the governor is not owing salaries.”

    The statement added: “Mr. Imam also threw a kite which could not fly when he told his audience that if not for their timely intervention. Over N5billion would have allegedly been deployed in vote-buying by Okorocha’s administration.

    “How he arrived at that conclusion is what he never said. In other words, he believed what the petitioners wrote. Since investigation is still on, perhaps, at the end of it, the truth will become clearer especially when the incident happened long before the 2019 elections.

    “And one could not have bought votes in the vacuum. Ultimately, vote-buying must be on the Election Day and perhaps, at the polling units where the voters were expected to be.

    “Alhaji Magu is doing a good job as the head of the EFCC. But he should keep the fifth columnists at arms’ length. He should not eat with them even with the longest spoon.

    “With more than one thousand landmark and verifiable projects to his credit, Okorocha must have managed the resources of the State in his time as governor with high sense of prudence.

    “And for patriotic Imo people, he remains the Defending Champion of the Imo governorship since what he has achieved in eight years exceeded all that those before him had achieved put together.”

  • Naira Marley to be docked today

    Barring any last minute change, the trial of Nigerian musician, Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, for alleged credit card fraud will begin at a Lagos high court today.

    He will be arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which has slammed an 11-count charge against him.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the musician effectively risks seven years in jail if found guilty in accordance with Section 33 (2) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.

    The charge with suit number FHC/L/178C/19 was filed before a Lagos State High Court last Wednesday.

    Read also: EFCC to arraign Naira Marley for Yahoo Yahoo on Monday

    Some of the credit cards, according to the EFCC, bore the names- Nicole Louise Malyon, and Timea Fedorne Tatar.

    The alleged crimes were in contravention of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and the Cyber Crimes Act.

    The charge read in part, “That you, Azeez Adeshina Fashola, aka Naira Marley, and Raze (still at large), on or about the 11th day of December 2018, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired amongst yourselves to use Access card 42658840359191132 issued to persons other than you in a bid to obtain gain and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27(1)(b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 33(2) of the Same Act.

    “That you, Azeez Adeshina Fashola, aka Naira Marley, and Raze (still at large), on or about the 10th day of May 2019, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud possessed counterfeit card 4921819410257431 issued to Timea FedorneTatar and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 33(9) of Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015.”

    The singer, who was detained on May 10, is controversial for repeatedly praising internet fraudsters, popularly called Yahoo boys, in his songs and on social media.

    NAN reports that Naira Marley was arrested alongside his friend and fellow musician, Zlatan Ibile who was released on Wednesday.

    Tiamiu Kayode, Adewunmi Moses and Abubakar Musa, his crew boys, have also been released.

  • Kwara Assembly member-elect in EFCC net for alleged N25m scam

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a member-elect of the Kwara State House of Assembly Abdulgafar Ayinla for alleged involvement in N25 million property scam, forgery and obtaining money under false pretence.

    It was gathered that operatives of the Ilorin zonal office of EFCC effected Ayinla’s arrest.

    The petitioner, who resides in the United State of America, alleged that Ayinla, a legal practitioner, was introduced to her by her late aunt to purchase some properties for her in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    The petitioner, who did not want her identity, alleged  that “the lawmaker-elect then sold me another two plots of land, with four bedroom bungalow at window level at Agric area in the metropolis.

    “I paid N8 million plus N240,000, which Gafar informed me that the seller had received the money, but he never paid the money to the seller. Up till today, he is yet to refund the money nor pay to the seller.”

    “My uncle went to his office several occasions and did not meet him. During one of the visits, my uncle obtained a copy of C of O that has my property addresses, he then contacted the owner’s name on the C of O. Since this incident, Gafar has been avoiding everyone.”

    The suspect, according to sources, claimed to have diverted the money for his personal use, promising to pay back the money when he receives his wardrobe allowances.

     

  • Kwara PDP authorised sharing of N450m campaign fund, says Belgore

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dele Belgore, Wednesday told a Federal High Court in Lagos that he never authorised the sharing of N450 million People’s Democratic Party (PDP) campaign fund.

    Belgore, a former PDP campaign coordinator in Kwara State, said the instruction to do so was made in writing by Kwara stakeholders of the PDP before the 2015 polls.

    The lawyer and a former Minister of National Planning, Abubakar Sulaiman, are standing trial on a money laundering charge preferred by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Belgore concluded his testimony in defence of the charge on April 12, following which the court adjourned for cross examination.

    At the last adjourned date on May 6, a second defence counsel, Mr Tayo Oyetibo SAN concluded his cross examination of Belgore.

    When trial resumed Wednesday, EFCC counsel Mr Rotimi Oyedepo appeared for the prosecution, while Mr Ebun Shofunde (SAN) appeared for Belgore.

    Under cross examination by Oyedepo, the defendant told the court that the stakeholders also authorised the formula for the disbursement.

    According to him, the decision to disburse the campaign funds and the list of recipients was made at a meeting of the state’s PDP stakeholders.

    He explained that he did not give any written instructions to share the money to the stakeholders, contending that the instructions came from his party.

    He said he did not have a copy of that instruction.

    The defendant denied that N80 mIllion was apportioned to the campaign coordinator or his office, contending that funds allocated were on the stakeholders’ instructions.

    Read Also: Kwara PDP screens NASS aspirants Thursday

    Belgore said the stakeholders’ meeting was to allocate funds to Local Governments and their Chairmen and that the funds were to be given to the Chairmen and representatives, adding that he was not aware if it was changed.

    He confirmed that at the stakeholders’ meeting, people were nominated to collect monies, but denied knowledge about collection of the said monies as he was not there.

    Justice Rilwan Aikawa adjourned till June 17 for continuation of cross examination by the prosecution.

    In the nine-count charge, the EFCC alleged that a former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke, conspired with Belgore and Sulaiman on or about March 27, 2015, to directly take possession of the sum of N450 million, which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act.

    They were also alleged to have taken the said funds in cash, which exceeded the amount authorised by law, without going through the financial institutions.

  • EFCC probe of Saraki not personal, says Magu

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu yesterday said the fresh probe  Senate President Bukola Saraki is neither personal nor a witch-hunt.

    He said the investigation of Saraki was not different from other investigations being done by the anti-graft agency, adding that the agency would not slow down on the war against corruption, which he described as a national disaster.

    Magu made the clarifications in a chat with reporters after receiving an outstanding award from Euro Knowledge Forum, led by Mrs. Yinka Fayomi, in Abuja.

    The EFCC on Saturday sealed off five choice mansions allegedly traced to the Senate President.

    The mansions were suspected to have been acquired with state funds while he was the governor in Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

    The assets were suspected by the EFCC not to have been declared by Saraki, who is being probed for his earnings and acquisitions in office as a governor between 2003 and 2011; how a N17 billion bond was spent; allocations to the state from the Federation Account while in office and some suspicious transactions by the state government in the administration of the outgoing Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State.

    Saraki has, however, described the seizure as a witch-hunt and battle against a “political enemy”.

    Magu, who insisted that the war against corruption is not personal, said he was not after anybody.

    He said: “Never, never, the EFCC does not witch-hunt. Have I invited you here before? We invite people who have committed crimes and people who are corrupt. If you are not corrupt, you will not be in EFCC. If you are not a 419, Advance Fee Fraud, Yahoo boy or Internet fraudsters, you will not be in EFCC.

    Read also: Court stops fresh probe of Saraki by EFCC, DSS, CCT, others

    “We do our homework very well. Sometimes, we conduct preliminary investigation for up to six months. You will not even know we are investigating you. We have been investigating some people for more than five years and they don’t even know we are doing it.”

    Asked to be specific on the latest investigation of Saraki, the EFCC chairman said: “No, no, it (the investigation of Saraki) is not personal. I am not after anybody. I don’t want you to personalize it because it is not different from other investigation we are doing.

    “Seriously, I am not slowing down because corruption is a national disaster. Every Nigerian should fight corruption whether you are in Nigeria or outside the country. Corruption is the mother of all evils. If you remove this disaster, you will have a peaceful country.

    “All these banditry, Boko Haram nuisance, their root is corruption. They are caused by corruption and sustained by corruption.”

    He said that no single EFCC official can lay claim to the feat achieved by the commission.

    Magu said: “Nobody can arrogate the successes we have recorded to himself. Every staff of EFCC is also individually and collectively responsible to positive achievements we have.

    “We also recognise the contributions of our stakeholders because this is a job that cannot be done in isolation. It is a work that nobody can do it alone. We strongly believe in all Nigerians and that is why I keep on appealing to Nigerians to take ownership of the fight against corruption. This is something one person cannot do.

    “I am very happy that this award and everything said were in recognition of the efforts being put in the fight against corruption. I want to beg, I want to appeal to every Nigerian to support us because corruption is the mother of all crimes.

    “If you remove corruption all these nonsense going on in Zamfara and Borno states would stop. Terrorism is being funded with the stolen funds, the laundered funds and it is coming back. That is why it is being sustained because somebody is giving them money. The boys who are behind are being paid by somebody. So, it is very hard for them to come back to the society. Sometimes if they come back, there is no job to be done. So, it attracts other people to join. That is why it gives room for the recruitment of more people to be on the side of the bandits.

    Fayomi, said: “With the award, Magu is now one of the Africa’s change agents because at the event (for those who were there), Financial Times recognised them as the agents of change in Africa. So, we will go back to FTand passed this ceremony to them so that they can be upgraded.”

  • Tenure probe: EFCC seals off Saraki’s five assets in Lagos

    Five choice properties of Senate President Bukola Saraki located in high brow Ikoyi, Lagos have been sealed off by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), citing ongoing investigation of the politician.

    The agency is in the process of approaching a court for an order for the interim forfeiture of the properties pending the conclusion of Saraki’s trial for allegations against him.

    The mansions under seal include 15, 15A, 17 and 17A McDonald Road, Ikoyi.

    The commission suspects Saraki of having acquired the properties with state funds when he served as Kwara State governor between 2003 and 2011.

    It also believes that he has not declared them.

    The anti-graft agency is currently probing Saraki’s earnings and acquisitions while in office.

    The investigation covers how a N17billion bond of the state was spent; allocations to the state from the Federation Account during his tenure; and some suspicious transactions by the state government in the administration of the outgoing Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State.

    An EFCC source said of the probe: “It is an ongoing case which has to do with alleged illegally acquired properties while he held sway as the governor of Kwara State.

    “We have attached the five properties in line with sections 27(4), 28 and 29 of the EFCC Establishment Act.

    Responding to a question, the source added: “We don’t have to obtain a court order before attaching any property. Our Act is very clear with regards to that.

    “Once you link a property to proceeds of crime, the next thing is to attach it by way of marking and to approach the court for forfeiture.”

    Sections 27(1-4), 28 and 29 of the EFCC Establishment Act 2004 read in part:

    “27 (1) Where a person is arrested for committing an offence under this Act, such person shall make a full disclosure of all his assets and properties by completing the Declaration of Assets Form as specified in Form A of the Schedule to this Act.

    “(2) The completed Declaration of Assets Form shall be investigated by the Commission.

    “(3) Any person who – (a) knowingly fails to make full disclosure of his assets and liabilities; or (b) knowingly makes a declaration that is false; or (c) fails, neglects or refuses to make a declaration or furnishes any information required, in the Declaration ‘of Assets Form, commits an offence under this Act and is liable Oil conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.

    “(4) Subject to the provisions of section 24 of this Act, whenever the assets and properties of any person arrested under this Act are attached, the Commission shall apply to the Court for an interim forfeiture order under the provisions of this Act.

    “(5) The Chairman of the Commission shall have powers to make such changes or modifications to the Declaration of Assets Form specified in Form A of the Schedule to this Act as may become necessary in order to give effect to the provisions of this Act.

    “28. Where a person is arrested for an offence under this Act, the Commission shall immediately trace and attach all the assets and properties of the person acquired as a result of such economic or financial crime and shall thereafter cause to be obtained an interim attachment order from the Court.

    “29. Where- (a) the assets or properties of any person arrested for an offence under this Act has been seized ; or (b) any assets or property has been seized by the Commission under this Act, the Commission shall cause an ex-parte application to be made to the Court for an interim order forfeiting the property concerned to the Federal Government and the Court shall, if satisfied that there is prima facie evidence that the property concerned is liable to forfeiture, make an interim order forfeiting the property to the Federal Government.”

    Also being investigated by EFCC in respect of the N17billion Kwara State bond are outgoing Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and the Accountant-General of the state.

    The agency wants to establish how the money was spent.

    The anti-graft agency suspects that part of the funds may have been diverted for private use.

    The bond was intended for  13 projects and loan refinancing package during the tenures of Saraki as governor and Ahmed, who is his successor.

    The projects are  Aviation College –(N1.5b budgeted, N2.448, 663, 386.56b spent); Asa Dam Mixed Use Development Project (N2b); Kwara State University (N1b); Ilorin Water Distribution Project (N2b allocated, N3.736b spent); Shonga Irrigation Project (N2.9b allocated, N882.9 million paid to contractor); Kwara Advanced Diagnostic Centre( N750m allocated, N1.861b spent); Urban roads (N1.5b allocated but N1.609b spent); Rural and Feeder roads(N200m); Ilorin Metropolitan Street Lights Project(N250m); Kwara Vocational Centre (N650m); Loan refinancing (No evidence of payment of N2.4b to AFDB); Ilorin Township Stadium Project—N1b allocated but N1, 117 430, 700.54 spent; Electrification Project—N462, 144, 291.10; Kwara Mall Project—N500m allocated, $2m deposit in another account

    The EFCC has already interrogated the Secretary to the State Government, two Permanent Secretaries, the Accountant-General of the state, and about three contractors.

    All those invited were said to have made “voluntary statements.”

    Two ex-commissioners and two members of the House of Representatives might be questioned too.

    But a government source in the State accused EFCC of embarking on a “wild goose chase because the bond has been fully repaid since 2014 without any outstanding liability for the people of Kwara State.”

    Read also: PDP raises concerns over safety of Saraki, others

    Saraki, had through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu described the latest probe as a witch-hunt.

    Olaniyonu in a statement said: “At this point, we need to remind members of the public that Dr. Saraki’s tenure as Kwara State Governor has been investigated several times since his last months in Office in 2010 till date.

    “In fact, at a point, as incumbent Governor, he voluntarily waived his immunity and submitted to investigation and yet nothing was found against him.

    “Also, members of the public should be reminded that during the proceedings of his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) between 2015 and 2018, it became clear that the evidence relied upon was from investigations conducted by the EFCC on his tenure as Governor and that is why the lead witness for the prosecution was an EFCC agent, Michael Wetkas.

    “Yet, the CCT in its judgement dismissed the 16 charges filed against Dr. Saraki and that verdict was upheld by the highest court of the land, the Supreme Court,” the statement said.

    “However, we need to remind the Commission that Dr. Saraki is not an outgoing Governor.

    “Since 2011, tens of governors have been in and out of our various State Houses. Likewise, hundreds of Senators and Representatives have been in and out of the National Assembly.

    “To single out one individual for persistent investigation can only be logically and plausibly interpreted to be a witch-hunt. This is definitely no fight against corruption. It is a battle waged against a ‘political enemy’. It is a ‘label to damage’ plot.”