Yemi Adebowale
10 May 2008
Lagos — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to charge two more ex-governors to court for corruption and money laundering after completing investigations into graft allegations against them.
It was gathered last night that the results of the investigation were frightening, and that the EFCC could arrest and commence the prosecution of the affected governors as early as next week.
THISDAY investigations learnt that one of the affected governors is from the North Central region while the other is from the North West region. They both served two terms between 1999 and 2007.
"The EFCC now has evidence of massive looting against the said governors. They have a lot of concrete evidence. There were many instances of outright stealing against the two of them. They (EFCC) now have the facts and are set to commence prosecution," the source said.
The source said further that the planned arraignment of the two governors by the EFCC is in continuation of the war against corruption: "This will show Nigerians that the corruption war is alive and kicking."
The EFCC has already taken action against eight of the country's 36 former state governors for money laundering and abuse of office, among other charges of graft.
Those whose cases are still in court are Joshua Dariye of Plateau State; Saminu Turaki of Jigawa; Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu; Jolly Nyame of Taraba; James Ibori of Delta; Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia and Lucky Igbinedion of Edo State. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa State was convicted and jailed for money laundering.
Nnamani, a two-term governor of Enugu State is facing a 34-count charge of stealing and money laundering at a Lagos Federal High Court. The agency also accused the ex-governor of illegally transferring his state's funds to private bank accounts in the United States.
Nnamani was charged along with eight others, two of his aides and six companies owned by him.
Ibori is standing trial for corruption, money-laundering and other financial crimes brought before the Federal High Court, Kaduna. He was charged with a 129-count by the EFCC over the laundering of N9.1 billion belonging to the Delta State people during his eight years in office between 1999 and 2007.
Igbinedion was arraigned before the Federal High Court, Enugu, on a 147-count charge of money laundering and corrupt enrichment while in office between 1999 and 2007.
Igbinedion and his former colleagues have pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 This Day. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
