EFCC goes after ex-Govs, Ministers, probes ‘monumental fraud’ in power sector
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Some former Governors and Ministers are now under the searchlight of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which also said it has recovered N27,184,357,524.52 and $19,084,419.33 from three different money laundering cases.
Efforts are being made to recover more illicit funds, the graft buster pledged, adding it would soon make public, details of its probe of some former Governors, Ministers, and several government officials across the country, based on petitions from citizens.
The EFCC is also investigating alleged “monumental” procurement fraud involving some officials of the Ministry of Power and Ministry of Agriculture.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale disclosed the developments on Wednesday when he spoke on behalf of acting EFCC Chairman Abdukarim Chukkol at a media briefing in Lagos.
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Houses seized in FCT, Lagos, Cross River
Oyewale said the EFCC seized several houses in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as well as in Lagos and Cross River which are proceeds of funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru Power projects diverted through bureau de change (BDC) operators, per reporting by The PUNCH.
His worlds: “In three different cases, the Commission has recovered N27,184,357,524.52 and $19,084,419.33. While ongoing recovery is being made, the Commission’s works are progressing in line with our mandate as prevention initiatives, risk assessments and recovery efforts are being intensified.
“Petitions were received in respect of several public officials, some of them former Governors, some former Ministers, and some ministry officials, and investigations are ongoing on those petitions; however, details of their involvements and our investigations will soon be made public.
“Also, investigations are ongoing in respect of monumental fraud involving some officials of the Federal Ministry of Power and Agriculture; procurement fraud actually.
“Funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru Power projects are diverted through sundry bureau de change operators.
“For now, several houses purchased with the funds are being recovered. The houses are in Abuja, Lagos and Cross River States.”
The EFCC in September interrogated former Power Minister Olu Agunloye over an alleged $6bn Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) contract.
That came after former Power Minister Sale Mamman was arrested and detained in May by the EFCC over alleged N22 billion fraud.
