The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday, disclosed that the anti-graft agency had, in the last one year, dragged four former governors and three former ministers to court
EFCC Director of Public Affairs Division, Wilson Uwugiaren, at a press conference, also reeled out other achievements of the agency since the current chairman, Ola Olukoyede, assumed office exactly a year ago.
“In Olukoyede’s one year as EFCC chairman, beginning from October 18, 2023, to October 18, 2024, the commission has charged four former governors, namely: Yahaya Adoza Bello (Kogi), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Darius Dickson Ishaku, (Taraba) to court for alleged corruption.
“Bello is charged in two different courts, one at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, before Emeka Nwite on 19-count charge, bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80,246,470, 088.88.
“Former Governor Ishaku and former permanent secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Bello Yero, are facing prosecution before S. C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on a 15-count charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds in the state to the tune of N27 billion.
“Former Governor Ahmed alongside Ademola Banu, former Commissioner of Finance in the state, are facing prosecution on a 12-count charge, bordering on money laundering and mismanagement of public funds to the tune of N10 billion.
“Obiano, on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, was arraigned before Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja. He was arraigned on nine counts, bordering on money laundering, diversion of funds, stealing and corruption, to the tune of N4 billion,” he said.
Uwugiaren also recalled the names of former ministers currently facing corruption trials.
He said: “Two former ministers of power have been arrested and facing prosecution by the commission. They are Saleh Mamman and Olu Agunloye. The third person is the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.”
Uwugiaren said in the last one year, the EFCC under Olukoyede’s watch, had secured 3,455 convictions across all categories of financial crimes and corruption.
“Monetary asset recoveries in Naira is N248,750,049,365.52. Monetary asset recoveries in foreign currencies, the EFCC recorded $105,423,190.39; £53,133.64; €172,547.10; T1,300.00; CAD $ 3,400.00; ¥74,859:00; AUS $740:00; 170:00 UAE DIRHAM; 73,000:00 KOREAN WON; CFA 7,821,375:00 and R 50:00,” he said
THE SUN NEWSPAPER
