Detained ex-govs: EFCC quizzes 25 aides, contractors

Posted by admin EFCC Politics, Governors Monday, October 10th, 2011

At least 25 aides of the three embattled governors in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission were at the weekend quizzed by the operatives of the anti-graft agency.

Some of the quizzed aides, spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said would be called as witnesses against their former principals.

The 25, including ex-Commissioners of Finance, Accountant-Generals and Secretaries to state governments under the tenure of the detained three former governors – Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo) and Akwe Doma (Nasarawa) – were questioned by the EFCC operatives, preparatory to the arraignment of the three in court.

Contractors to their governments were also quizzed by the anti-graft operatives.

Over the weekend, there were reports that Daniel, Alao-Akala and Doma would be arraigned in a federal high court in Abuja on Monday (today).

While confirming the questioning of the former governors’ aides, Babafemi on Sunday said that 16 more would still be quizzed.

He said the aides were invited and quizzed because their names cropped up in the investigation of their former principals.

“It is true that some aides of the former governors were questioned by the commission. Those who are available, we will invite them for interrogation. But for those we cannot find, we will go after them and may even declare them wanted,” he said. He, however, refused to name the quizzed aides.

Daniel, Alao-Akala and Doma are alleged to have misappropriated a total of N101bn while at the helm of affairs in their respective states.

While Daniel is said to have misappropriated N58bn, Alao-Akala and Doma are facing charges for misappropriating N25bn and N18bn respectively.

Our correspondent learnt that the former chief executives were apprehensive on Sunday at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja where they had been kept since their arrest last Thursday.

“They looked worried and depressed. That is not unusual though because you will definitely look worried too if your movement is restricted. Remember, these are men of power,” a source at the commission told our correspondent on Sunday.

The EFCC source also revealed that the agency was “supervising” the food of the ex-governors and that family members who brought food to them were being compelled to eat with them in order to avoid incidents of poisoning.

Their family members are allowed to see them. But we make it mandatory for them to eat with any family member who brings the food under the supervision of EFCC officials. Don’t forget the food poisoning scare which involved one of them,” the source said.

In July 2008, Daniel was said to have been poisoned and had to be rushed abroad for medical attention.

His then Chief of Staff, Dr. Yomi Majekodunmi; Chief Press Secretary, Wale Adedayo; Secretary to the State Government, Olugbemi Onakoya; Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Samuel, and other top government functionaries addressed a press briefing on the poison saga.

“On my honour, I can tell you categorically and unequivocally that the governor was poisoned a few weeks ago. He had to be rushed out of this country for treatment. We thank God that he is okay. He had initial treatment abroad, came back and quietly went back for a few days for further treatment. That is why he is taking things slowly,” Majekodunmi had said.

Meanwhile, the EFCC, our correspondent learnt, has named prosecutors for the trial of Daniel, Alao-Akala and Doma.

A source told our correspondent that while Mr. Rotimi Jacobs would prosecute Daniel, Mr. Godwin Obla has been assigned to prosecute Alao-Akala. The case against Doma will be prosecuted by Mr. Kemi Pinhero (SAN).

-Punchwp_posts