Former Imo State Governor, Ihedi Ohakim

A former Imo State governor, Ihedi Ohakim, was on Thursday arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Ohakim, who was scheduled to visit the EFCC office in Abuja on Wednesday, had shunned the anti-graft agency’s invitation to answer questions on fraud he allegedly perpetuated while he was in office.

But when he shunned theEFCC invitation, operatives of the agency invaded his residence in Asokoro, Abuja where he was arrested on Thursday morning.

He was subsequently taken to the EFCC headquarters where he was subjected to many hours of grilling over allegations of corruption and embezzlement.

Sources at the EFCC said that the former governor was specifically questioned on why he allegedly used the state funds to acquire choice property in many locations.

He was later released around 4.30pm and is expected to be summoned soon to answer more questions and provide clarifications.

The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that Ohakim was arrested and quizzed in respect of an investigation into corrupt enrichment by the ex-governor who led Imo State between 2007 and 2011.

“Ohakim was released and allowed to go, we will call him whenever we need him,” Uwujaren stated.

Similarly, the commission interrogated a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, in a case of money laundering, embezzlement and funds misappropriation involving him and his children.

The commission had earlier invited the former governor, but he did not honour the summons because he was out of the country.

Uwujaren confirmed that Lamido was at the anti-graft agency’s office for interrogation in an investigation being pursued by the commission.

The EFCC had in recent weeks woke up from its lethargy and stepped up its investigations into cases of corrupt enrichment and embezzlement by former governors.

-Punch