Shekarau, 7 outgoing Govs in N8tr scam

….As EFCC probes Akala over N8.2bn road projects
By Toye Faleye, Lagos and Moshood Olalekan, Abuja

There are strong indications that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised special investigative team to collate data and materials needed for the prosecution of Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and seven outgoing governors alleged to have diverted for personal use over N8trillion released for development of their respective states. Nigerian NewsDirect had reported last week exclusively arrangements being made by five outgoing Governors to secure medical papers from prominent hospitals in Lagos as a measure to flee from the country in order to avoid prosecution.
According to a senior EFCC official, the list of Governors targeted for arrest after may 29 include Govs. Ali Modu Sheriff of Borno State, Adebayo Alao Akala of Oyo State, Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State, Umaru Shinkafi of Zamfara State, Bukola Saraki of Kwara State and Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State. These governors had served their various states between 2003 to 2011 while some of them were elected in 2007.
For instance, he said that Governor Christopher Alao Akala of Oyo State is being investigated over his alleged mismanagement of N8, 250,000,000 allocated to 33 Local Governments in the State. To prevent the escape of these corrupt governors after the May 29 handover date, sources close to the Presidency hinted that the anti-graft agency has been empowered to monitor their movements and prevent them from taking any of the land borders or hospitals as a way of escape after May 29.
As a follow up to the directive of the Presidency, our investigation revealed that 15 special teams had already been sent out to various states to fast-track preparation for the arrest and prosecution of these alleged corrupt Govs. According to the source, the affected governors would be picked up immediately their immunity expires. Also on the list of those to be likely arrested soon are some commissioners in those states as well as aides to the governors alleged to have been part of siphoning public funds. The teams according to our source are to use the remaining days to gather and solicit for sufficient evidence against some state governors and their officials ahead of the May 29 handover date.
A reliable source in the commission said the teams were constituted by the EFCC Chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri about three weeks ago to gather sufficient evidence in some states where the EFCC has been investigating fraud allegations against some governors and their officials.
It was gathered that the EFCC operatives were dispatched to the affected states to wrap up investigations and compile case files against officials believed to have dipped their hands into state funds.
The EFCC Spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi, while chatting with Nigerian NewDirect in an exclusive interview, hinted at the weekend that "Investigation is on-going and is being intensified to reach comfortable conclusion because this is a high profile case where we must be careful especially as it revolves round politicians."
Governor Akala was alleged to have mismanaged the sum of N250 million that was doled out to each Local Government in Oyo State. This amount was said to have been approved for each Local Government to enable them tar all the feeder roads in their areas.
According to a reliable source, Governor Akala had ordered the removal of N100 million from each local government, while the Permanent Secretaries, Accountant General and all Commissioners took N50 million remaining N150 million which the Governor directed the LGAs to use to tar the roads. “The roads are not tarred up till date”, he lamented.
He added that the road project is being handled by the state government through Engineer Femi Babalola, the Managing Director of JORGOR Event Centre, who is also the consultant and a close friend of the Governor.
Nigerian NewsDirect learnt that the businessman has been handling such projects for the administration of Governor Akala. Findings also revealed that he has handled several renovation and supply of medical equipment to Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Yemetu and the renovation of the state hospital at Ring Road.
EFCC, had earlier quizzed some top officals in the state, including the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Olayiwola Olakojo; Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Adebayo Bankole; Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Muslim Oyedemi; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hosea Agboola; the ALGON Chairman, Mr. Demola Ojo Obafemi and the Accountant-General of the state, Mrs. Florence Oke over the alleged scam.
It would be recalled that the alleged scam once polarised the State House of Assembly into factions as some of the lawmakers moved against the mismanagement of the funds while others supported the Governor. The development degenerated into fracas as thugs were invited into the House to disrupt its legislative activities. All attempts to speak to Governor Akala's aides proved abortive as his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Bayo Ojo, his Special Advisers on Political Matters, Mr Asimiyu Alarape and his Director on Public Communication, Mr Dotun Oyelade did not pick their calls or react to text messages.
Governor Akala lost his re-election bid in the last governorship poll conducted on April 26. He was defeated by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Senator Jimoh Ajimobi, who polled 420, 852 votes as Akala polled 387, 132 votes while Rasheed Ladoja of Accord Party (AP) polled 275, 773 votes.
http://newsdirectonline.com/newstory.php?ID=1596

our country is in a mess

If just this 7 are sentenced and sent to jail, it will be a very good start