FORMER Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, has been questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of money laundering amounting to N4 billion.
Fayemi was questioned at the zonal command office of the Commission in Kwara State, on Thursday, June 1.
Fayemi, according to media reports, arrived at the EFCC facility around 9:40 am. However, The ICIR could not confirm if he has been released or detained.
Read Also:
- Fayemi signs bill that will prevent govt from abandoning projects initiated by past administration
- President Buhari cuts down travel allowance for ministers, other top officials
- Nigeria spent N231 billion in 5 years to print banknotes – Report
- Police investigates Lagos police station, after ICIR bail-for-sale investigation
- FCTA closes down Unity Fountain, says facility needs upgrade
- Insecurity: Why peace efforts in Northwest Nigeria are not sustainable
Last month, the EFCC had summoned the Fayemi to appear before the head of its zonal command office in Kwara to address queries related to money laundering activities.
The letter, issued by the Commission Zonal Commander, Micheal Nzekwe, requested Fayemi’s presence on May 18 at the commission’s office in Ilorin.
However, Fayemi’s lawyer, Adeola Omotunde, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), responded with a follow-up letter dated May 15.
The letter stated that Fayemi was one of the organisers and reviewers of a book published in honour of then President Muhammadu Buhari, making him unavailable for the EFCC’s invitation on May 18 due to prior commitments associated with the book’s public presentation and launching.
Fayemi is not the only former governor being investigated by the anti-graft agency.
The EFCC had also stated it was investigating the former Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle over corruption allegations, including the award of phantom contracts and diversion of over N70 billion.
The anti-graft agency made the disclosure after Matawalle accused the Commission’s chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa of demanding $2 million bribe from him.
“The Commission would like to put the nation on notice to expect more of the kind of wild allegations made by Matawalle as those at the receiving end of EFCC’s investigations fight viciously back.
“But the real issue with Matawalle is that he is being investigated by the EFCC over allegations of monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts and diversion of over N70 billion,” EFCC Director of Communication Osita Nwajah said while addressing journalists on May 18.
Accusing the governor of “monumental” corruption, the EFCC stated that it tracked down more than 100 companies that received payments from the claimed funds while there was no evidence of service to the state.
The EFCC said that as part of the extensive investigation of contracts awarded by the Matawalle administration, especially for phantom projects in the local government areas, it recovered N300 million from a company, Fezel Nigeria Limited.
It added that funds were traced to the Zamfara Investment Company.
Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, is also being probed for alleged corruption, including the possession of 14 properties in Nigeria and abroad, as well as N400 million.
The anti-graft agency stated that these properties, including a hotel apartment in Dubai, are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Other former and serving governors being probed for various offences, in line with mass investigations initiated by the EFCC, include Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi), Abubakar Bello (Niger), Samuel Ortom (Benue) Benedict Ayade (Crosss River), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) Aminu Masari (Katsina) and Simon Lalong (Plateau).
You can reach out to me on Twitter via: vincent_ufuoma