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EFCC Clamps Down On Outgoing Governors
Posted by George on Tue 19th Mar, 2019 - tori.ngIt revealed that steps have been taken to ensure that any of them who have questions to answer regarding corruption does not escape.
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said, yesterday, it would begin prosecution of outgoing governors who prima facie cases of corruption have been established against them following investigations by the commission.
The commission said the prosecution will begin as soon as they hand over on May 29.
It revealed that steps have been taken to ensure that any of them who have question to answer regarding corruption does not escape.
It, however, did not reveal identities of the governors involved.
Acting spokesman of the anti-graft body, Tony Orilade also disclosed that governors who have been found to be involved in vote buying during the recently concluded election would be made to face the music.
Governors who will be leaving office by May 29 include Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe) and Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe).
The outcome of supplementary elections and collation of governorship elections in Sokoto, Adamawa , Bauchi, Plateau, Benue, Kano, Rivers billed for this weekend will determine the fate of Governors Aminu Tambuwal, Bindo Umaru Jibrilla, Mohammed Abubakar, Simon Lalong, Samuel Ortom, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Nyesom Wike.
According to Orilade, “we will go after them when they no longer enjoy constitutional immunity. That will be after May 29. Any person who has a question to answer will be invited to answer the question.”
On governors accused of withdrawing large amount of money for vote buying, he said: “We have already gone after them. But don’t forget that the extent of their involvement will be determined by the investigation that is ongoing. And until that investigation is concluded we cannot come up to say this is what the true position is on the matter.”
Asked to state specifically the governors who have been investigated and who cases of corruption have been established against, the EFCC spokesman said: “Just wait and see. We are doing our job here. Although the constitution provides for immunity for governors, it does not stop investigation of them. What I can I tell you is that after May 29, some of the former governors will answer to some of the things they did.”
Meanwhile, the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has warned banks and other financial institutions not to succumb to threats and pressures from outgoing governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, to obtain last-minute loans, overdrafts and other financial instruments barely two months to the end of his tenure.
In a press statement issued in Abeokuta, yesterday, APC Caretaker Committee’s Publicity Secretary, Tunde Oladunjoye, warned that any institution that grants such requests “does so at its own risk.”
The press statement read:
“It has come to our notice that the outgoing governor has been exerting pressures on banks and financial institutions to grant frivolous loans, overdrafts and other instruments immediately Dapo Abiodun was declared governor-elect.”
“We are equally aware that files and other sensitive governments documents are being moved out of government offices on the order of the outgoing governor, His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.”
“It is, therefore important to let it be known to the concerned public officers that it is part of their duties to protect public properties, including files, documents and information at their disposal. As anything contrary to this will be running foul of the laws and their oath of office. The allegiance of the civil servants is to Ogun State and not to any individual, no matter who.
“As for the banks, we want to state categorically that the incoming administration believes so much in the the rule of law and due process. Therefore, the administration will not honour any obligation that did not follow due process or any loans that did not receive the prior approval of the State House of Assembly.
“According to the Federal Bureau of Statistics, Ogun State’s Internally Generated Revenue has increased by 590 per cent in eight years totaling N74, 835, 979, 000.51. Why the outgoing administration still wants ‘injury-time’ loans despite those already incurred, beats one’s imagination and leaves much to be desired. The incoming administration will not honour such shady loans.”
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