The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited ex-Governors Sule Lamido and Martin Elechi for questioning for alleged diversion of funds.
Lamido is to answer questions on alleged money laundering. The allegations against Elechi border on mismanagement of the State/Local Government Joint Account.
Although Lamido’s invitation is dated June 9th, he is expected for quizzing on June 17th.
Elechi, who ought to appear on June 8th, wrote through his counsel that he would be available on June 16th.
He sent his son, Nnanna, to the EFCC to explain why he could not make it.
A highly-placed source in EFCC gave insights into the two ex-governors’ invitation.
The source said: “We are going to quiz Lamido on allegations relating to money laundering. The EFCC had earlier put one of his sons on trial and secured his conviction.
“We invited three of his children over money laundering allegations too. All the transactions having to do with money laundering were allegedly traced to some companies where ex-Governnor Lamido has interest.
“On Elechi, he will face a team of interrogators on alleged mismanagement of funds in the State/Local Government Joint Account.
“We have had outstanding allegations against these former governors but they all pleaded immunity. Now that they are out of power, we can interact with them.”
The EFCC in January quizzed the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Works, Cornelius Onwe; the Accountant General, Edwin Igbele; ex-Commissioner for Finance Timothy Ogbonnaya Odaa; and ex- Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters Cele Nwali.
They were all drilled on alleged “illegal deductions” from the Joint Account for a failed Asphalt Project in 13 Local Government Areas of the state by the Elechi administration. Funds running into billions of naira were allegedly deducted from local government accounts.
On January 29, the ex-governor’s son, Nnanna, was also quizzed for alleged money laundering.
When contacted, the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “We have invited the two former governors for interaction.”
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