Posted by Samuel on Sat 19th Jul, 2025 - tori.ng
According to the EFCC boss, although some governors are shielded by constitutional immunity, investigations into their financial activities have already commenced. He said the agency would take appropriate action once their tenures expire.
Ola Olukoyede, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has revealed that the agency is currently conducting investigations into 18 sitting governors across the country.
Olukoyede made the revelation on Friday during a sensitisation programme in Lagos aimed at educating stakeholders, including movie producers and Bureau de Change operators, on the dangers of naira abuse and mutilation.
According to the EFCC boss, although some governors are shielded by constitutional immunity, investigations into their financial activities have already commenced. He said the agency would take appropriate action once their tenures expire.
He stressed that the EFCC does not need to wait until a governor leaves office before initiating an investigation.
Narrating a dramatic encounter involving a former Nigerian governor, Olukoyede recounted how the ex-governor was arrested in the United Kingdom for spraying pound sterling notes during a birthday party.
Olukoyede stated that the former governor in question fled Nigeria to the UK the day after he handed over power.
He said, “I will give you an experience we had in EFCC. There was a time in this country when we were investigating a governor. We don’t wait until they finish their tenures before we investigate.
“As I’m talking to you, I’m investigating about 18 governors who are still serving. When they leave the office, we will go to the next level.
“This governor was investigated while he was in office. Immediately, he finished his tenure, the following day, he took off to England to avoid the arrest of the EFCC.
“Coincidentally, that week happens to be his birthday. He organised a birthday party in the hotel where he was staying.
“While the party was going on, he started spraying pounds 50 bills and 10 bills. So the manager of the hotel was called. He came down and saw the former governor spraying pounds. He had never seen such a thing in his life so he had to call 911.
“When the Metropolitan Police came, he asked that they should help arrest the former governor. The ex-governor was arrested, and they wanted to put him in an ambulance.
“The people, his friends, colleagues, and two governors, who went to London to celebrate with him, had to intervene. They said the ex-governor was not a madman because the hotel manager thought he was mad.”