MORE EX-GOVS TO BE ARRAIGNED

There are strong indications that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will in the coming days invite more former governors, which is more or less a step to charging them to court over alleged money laundering, abuse of office and other offences. The move is consistent with the anti-graft agency’s resurgence in the last few weeks after a long lull which led many observers to conclude it had lost the will to fight corruption.

This week saw the dramatic arraignment of three ex-governors at various courts across the country. Before their separate appearances before Federal High Courts sitting in Abuja and Kano, respectively, operatives of the commission had quizzed former governors of Adamawa, Jigawa and Imo states.

Saturday Telegraph learnt that it’s only a matter of time before a new batch of ex-governors are arraigned. “It is apparent that more of the former governors who may have cases to answer upon thorough investigation, will face trial over their past records in their various states, as a way of discouraging corruption in the body polity,” an EFCC source who would rather not be identified, explained. The paper was also informed that the commission was working with other security agencies to ensure those under its searchlight do not go beyond its reach which may be the case if they travelled out of the country.

There are indications that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will soon invite more former governors, preparatory to charging them to court over alleged money laundering, abuse of office and other offences. The EFCC has revvedup its anti-corruption fight since May 29, when the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government was inaugurated. Before their separate arraignments before Federal High Courts sitting in Abuja and Kano, respectively, operatives of the Commission had quizzed former governors of Adamawa, Jigawa and Imo States.

Also interrogated shortly after May 29, were former governors Ali Modu- Sheriff (Borno) and Martin Elechi (Ebonyi).A highly placed source at the EFCC, who spoke with Saturday Telegraph on the condition of anonymity, said the Commission was set to prosecute more former states chief executives that may be found wanting upon investigation.

According to the source, “it is apparent that more of the former governors, who may have cases to answer upon thorough investigation, will face trial over their past records in their various states, as a way of discouraging corruption in the body polity. “I also want you to know that investigations against some of the accused ex-governors already in court have been concluded.

Nigerians will renew their confidence in the EFCC very soon, because we are determined to go the whole hog.” When prodded to disclose names of some of the former governors in the aforementioned category, the source declined comment, saying “just be vigilant.” The Head of Media and Publicity of the Commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, could not be reached for comment.