Lafia — Former Governor of Nasarawa State Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu was yesterday arrested by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged fraudulent award of contracts and stealing of public funds estimated at N15 billion.
EFCC's Head of Media and Publicity Mr. Femi Babafemi said, Adamu was arrested over fraudulent award of contracts mostly on capital project during his eight-year rule as governor of the State. He said the former governor would be arraigned in court after his interrogation.
Adamu was moved yesterday morning to the Headquarters of the commission in Wuse 2, Abuja, where he is being interrogated. The former governor weekend declared his intention to contest the Nassarawa-West Senatorial seat in the 2011 general elections.
The allegations by the EFCC against Adamu include the alleged non-execution of the N71.7 million contract for the construction of engineering complex at Nasarawa Polytechnic and the N34 million contract for the construction of Admin block in Lafia Poly, award of N1.1 billion contract for various projects without due process, among others.
Reacting to the arrest of the former governor, Barrister Musa Elayo, former Minister of State for Justice said the arrest which came shortly after the of the former governor had declared his intention to run for the Senate seat of Nasarawa West is politically motivated.
Speaking to Daily Trust on telephone yesterday, the former Minister wondered why any such allegations were not raised since the former governor left office in 2007.
He described Adamu as the most outstanding politician in Nasarawa State, stressing that he is a 'rallying point for politicians whether in or out of PDP', which is why he has become a threat to some politicians.
"Nasarawa State is in a total mess at the moment. Nothing is going on; there is complete disenchantment from the political class and the civil service," Barr.
Nasarawa State governor, Aliyu Akwe Doma could not be reached for comments last night as he did not pick his calls. However, Governor Doma's spokesman, Ibrahim Addra told Daily Trust that the information was strange to him. "This is all news and strange to me. I cannot confirm anything because I am just hearing it from you.
"First i am not aware of any arrest nor was I briefed by my boss if the state government originated any complaint. Secondly I cannot say why, if at all the former governor was arrested by the EFCC. That is all I can tell you for now", Addra added.
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The Nigerian people are still waiting to see the former Governor of the Niger Delta state Mr. Ibori be tried and be sent to prison for corruption by EFCC.This guy can continue be be allowed to walk the streets of Nigeria after committing one of the worst corruption as a Governor in the Nation's histoty.EFCC should know that it has a responsibility here for the Nigerian people.This should not be all about Mr.Ibori and the rest other corrupt politicians and the likes, it about giving the Nation justice.The EFCC will only be relevant if it can give the Country most needed justice by prosecuting these crookes in the court of law base on the rule of law.