Why EFCC is probing 18 sitting governors – Olukoyede

Olukoyede

Half of the current 36 state governors -18 – are being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), according to the anti-graft agency’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.

Those found wanting will face the law at the end of their tenure, he said.

Olukoyede spoke during a sensitization programme for movie producers, musicians and bureau de change operators, in Lagos on Friday.

The programme was meant to educate the participants on

the ills of naira mutilation and abuse.

“As I am talking to you, I am investigating about 18 governors who are still serving. When they leave (office), we will go to the next level,” he said. He, however, did not name the governors being probed or give further details of the investigation.

Speaking on naira abuse and mutilation, he recalled the case of a former governor who was arrested in the United Kingdom for spraying

pounds at his own (ex-governor’s) birthday party.

The manager of the hotel hosting the birthday party, Olukoyede said, had called in the authorities after seeing the ex-governor spraying £50 and £10 bills.

The suspect, he added, was already under EFCC’s investigation while in office, but fled the country just before the expiration of his tenure, to avoid arrest.

“This governor was investigated while he was in office. Immediately he finished his tenure, the following day, he took off to England to avoid arrest by EFCC,” the EFCC chair said.

“Coincidentally, that week happened to be his birthday. He organised a birthday party in the hotel where he was staying.