FORMER Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has been placed on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) watch list.
The Punch reported that the EFCC had also commenced an investigation into various transactions, including contracts awarded during his tenure as governor.
Obaseki had previously stated that the EFCC planned to arrest him soon after he stepped down from office on November 12, the day his eight-year leadership of the state ended.
The EFCC arrested five Edo government officials, including accountant general Julius Anelu, on November 2, over alleged significant withdrawals from the state treasury within a short period.
However, Obaseki expressed willingness to cooperate with the EFCC and provide an account of his tenure, stating he was not afraid of a probe.
According to top sources within the commission, the majority of transactions during Obaseki’s administration have not been directly linked to him.
According to the source, the investigation is ongoing, but Obaseki won’t be invited for questioning until the inquiry reaches a certain stage.
The source added that a team of investigators had been assigned to unravel transactions, including contracts awarded during his tenure.
However, the source claimed it had been challenging to link the bulk of these transactions directly to the former governor, as he allegedly used intermediaries. The source added that the anti-graft agency was following leads and hoped to uncover substantial evidence.
Regarding Obaseki’s watchlist status, another source revealed that all former governors, not just Obaseki, were being watchlisted by the commission. This measure is to ensure that they cannot leave the country before potential investigations are completed.
The source claimed that regardless of whether the commission had a relationship with the former governors or not, they were constantly on the commission’s watch list.
Messages sent to the EFCC’s head of media and publicity, Dele Oyewale’s line, to verify the information were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.
The ICIR reported that Obaseki’s successor, Monday Okpebholo, has established a 14-member state assets verification committee to investigate Obaseki’s tenure.
This was disclosed in a statement released on Sunday, November 24, by the chief press secretary (CPS) to the governor, Fred Itua.
According to the statement, members of the committee include Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, chairman; Anslem Ojezua, deputy chairman; Kassim Afegbua, member; Patrick Ikhariale, member; Taiwo Akerele, member; Patrick Idiake, member; and Rasaq Bello-Osagie, member.
Others are Fredrick Unopah, member; Frank Osumuede Edebor, secretary; Abdallah Eugenia, member; Patrick Obahiagbon, member; Kenny Okojie, member; Lyndsey Tes-Sorae, member; and Abass Braimoh, member.
The statement added that in furtherance of the governor’s determination to set the state on the path of development and accountable leadership, the need to set up the probe panel became imperative.
A reporter with the ICIR
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