EFCC investigates former Kano Governor Kwankwaso over alleged ₦2.5bn pension fraud. Amid political tension, EFCC probes misuse of pension funds, grilling Kwankwaso. Recent restitution of assets to Kano pensioners highlights anti-corruption efforts. The probe raises questions about accountability and political motives.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified its probe into alleged financial malfeasance within Nigeria's political echelons, focusing its investigative lens on former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso. The EFCC, renowned for its pursuit of corruption cases, has summoned Kwankwaso for interrogation regarding a purported ₦2.5 billion pension fraud scandal.
According to sources within the anti-graft agency, Kwankwaso was invited and subsequently grilled by EFCC interrogators, who sought to unravel the intricacies of the alleged misappropriation of pension funds during his tenure. While details of the interrogation remain undisclosed, insiders indicate that Kwankwaso has provided insights into the matter under investigation.
The summoning of Kwankwaso comes amidst heightened political tension in Kano State, characterized by the ongoing power struggle between the ruling New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), led by Kwankwaso, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), formerly under the stewardship of immediate-past governor Abdullahi Ganduje. Recent legislative maneuvers, including the reversal of the Kano emirate's division and the reinstatement of former Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano, underscore the volatile political climate in the state.
In a parallel development, the EFCC recently made significant strides in the restitution of assets to Kano State pensioners, following a protracted legal battle. The anti-corruption agency facilitated the handover of documents for 324 houses, valued at ₦4.1 billion, to pensioners, signaling a crucial victory in their quest for justice. This gesture follows years of alleged exploitation and denial of pensioners' rights, with successive administrations purportedly diverting funds meant for housing projects into personal coffers.
The EFCC's relentless pursuit of justice in the pension fraud saga reaffirms its commitment to combatting corruption and upholding the rule of law. However, critics question the timing and motivations behind Kwankwaso's summons, speculating on possible political undertones amidst the backdrop of Kano's tumultuous political landscape.
