N7bn fraud: EFCC quizzes Lagos Assembly deputy speaker, 4 principal officers

Posted by admin EFCC Politics, Lagos, State News Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

FOR several hours on Tuesday, principal officers of the Lagos State House of Assembly were interrogated by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja over the alleged N7 billion fraud rocking the arm of government.

Commission’s spokesperson, Mr Femi Babafemi confirmed the interrogation.

Those quizzed were the deputy speaker, Kolawole Taiwo, Rotimi Lateef Abiru, Ajibayo Adeyeye, Abdulrasaq Balogun and Lola Akande.

Though they were yet to be released around 8.00 p.m. on Tuesday, it was learnt that they eventually got administrative bail last night, after their travel documents had been seized by the commission’s operatives.

Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji had been quizzed by the commission as well as the assembly’s accountants and clerk.

The principal officers were reportedly summoned on the strength of the statements made by the accountants and the clerk, who may end up as the commission’s star witnesses.

Ikuforiji is also expected to be back for interrogation to be confronted with the said statements.

Ikuforiji was accused of using phony companies, including his auto firm, to launder N500 million monthly meant for the assembly’s running cost.

An allegation of perjury was also levelled against him for allegedly lying on oath on his alleged double conviction in the United States of America.

His colleagues had thrown their weight behind him, accusing his opponents of orchestrating his ordeal.

-Tribunewp_posts