Says Bankole’s investigation still on-going, to appeal Igbinedion’s acquittal

BY Oscarline Onwuemenyi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, gave indications on Wednesday that it may soon issue warrant of arrest against some former governors who have allegedly fled the country without giving proper account of their financial stewardship.

Former Governors Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State and Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State, reportedly fled the country days before the May 29 official handover date, and other governors within the EFCC’s radar are said to be planning to take off soon.

The Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Babafemi, stated at a briefing with newsmen in Abuja that the anti-corruption agency was vigilant and would soon open cases against the former state executives and others whose immunity expired on May 29, 2001.

He also noted that the Commission has not relented in its efforts to interrogate the out-going Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Dimeji Bankole over the N10 billion loan.

He said, “We are not being silent (over corrupt ex-governors). I can assure you that our investigation is still on-going, but we will not be pressured into opening up the on the extent in which we have gone in order not to compromise our work.

“Nigerians should be rest assured that as for former governors who have cases to answer with the Commission, we will go after them, wherever they may be. In the coming days, we will let the public into what we have been doing and how far we have gone.”
Babafemi said the EFCC was “ready to do whatever is necessary and legal” to bring the former governors and their cohorts to account for allegations of financial misconduct”.

On the issue of Speaker of the House of Representatives, the EFCC spokesman insisted that the matter was not rested adding that the investigation was on-going and that the Commission would soon go public with its findings.

The Speaker had pleaded with the EFCC to allow him report for interrogation at a new date to be fixed by the anti-corruption agency due to his involvement in some handover ceremonies.

Babafemi further noted that the Chairman of EFCC, Mrs. Farida Waziri has ordered the Commission’s lawyers to begin the process of appeal against the court judgment that acquitted former governor of Edo, Mr. Lucky Igbinedion, of charges of corruption.

He said, “The Chairman has ordered our prosecution team to appeal the acquittal of the former governor, even as we pursue the prosecution of his sibling and other accomplices in the court of law.”

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