The new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has taken the reins and assumed the daunting task of overseeing a total of 25 high-profile corruption cases involving former governors, ministers, and senators, according to a report by FINDWHOSABI.
Some of these cases, including those against ex-governors, have dragged on for years, with investigations or court proceedings showing no signs of a conclusive end. The alleged amounts at stake in these high-profile cases are staggering, amounting to no less than N772.2 billion and an additional $2.2 billion, suspected to have been siphoned through money laundering, fund diversion, and misappropriation.
Among the prominent figures facing investigations are the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; his predecessor, Ayo Fayose; Bello Matawalle, former governor of Zamfara State and incumbent Minister of State for Defence; and former governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, among others.
The list of individuals facing legal scrutiny also extends to former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (retd.); former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and various other notable figures.
Several of these cases have shown limited progress or have been struck out by the courts, creating uncertainty regarding their status. The alleged crimes encompass a wide range of financial wrongdoing, from fraud and misappropriation to money laundering and embezzlement.
The report highlights the invitation of Dr. Kayode Fayemi in June, over allegations of N4 billion misappropriation during his tenure as governor of Ekiti State. Similar allegations against Bello Matawalle, former governor of Zamfara State, have been made, and the status of both cases remains unclear.
Chimaroke Nnamani’s case, which involved an alleged N5.3 billion fraud, was struck out in 2018. However, the EFCC had previously expressed its intention to file fresh charges against Nnamani, with no confirmation of whether this has been carried out.
The report also points to other cases involving former governors such as Abdullahi Adamu of Nasarawa State, Aliyu Wammako of Sokoto State, and several others, each mired in their unique legal complexities.
Notably, the former Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, indicated in 2020 that the agency intended to reopen the case involving former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili, accused of N100 billion fraud in 2012. However, the report does not confirm whether the case was indeed reopened.
In conclusion, the report underscores the challenges faced by the EFCC in handling these high-profile cases, emphasizing the need for comprehensive investigations and effective prosecutions.
New EFCC Chairman’s Promise of Reform
The newly appointed EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, officially took office on Thursday and has pledged to revamp and reorient the commission for enhanced effectiveness.
In a statement from the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, Olukoyede stated, “We are going to drive professionalism in discharging our duties in line with the rule of law. The rule of law is going to be our guiding light. We are going to drive EFCC to a place that when you see EFCC personnel, you will see a touch of professionalism. We are also going to be involved more in prevention because it is better to save money for the government than to spend money in prosecution.”
Legal Experts Weigh In
Prominent legal experts have voiced their opinions on these high-profile cases, emphasizing the importance of tackling financial crimes irrespective of the accused individual’s status.
Some legal professionals called for the EFCC to prioritize these pending cases to maintain public trust and uphold the rule of law. They argued that economic and financial crimes should be addressed without discrimination, whether involving “yahoo boys” or former governors.
Overall, the report underlines the challenges faced by the EFCC in prosecuting high-profile cases and highlights the need for more effective handling of such cases.
Disclaimer: This news report is based on the original article and does not include any new developments beyond the provided information.