Metro Nigeria: Top 10 'Forgotten' High-Profile EFCC Corruption Cases

P

ProfRem

Guest
Since the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) in 2003, high profile cases have been piling up, with many as old as the agency itself. Daily Trust dusted some of them off and took a look.

Peter Odili

Former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, had a rough time with the EFCC even before the end of his two-term tenure in 2007. His travails started when the anti-graft agency investigated the finances of Rivers State, and he was alleged to have diverted over N100 billion of the state’s funds.

The case was stalled when presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba heeded to Odili’s request and granted a perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC from probing the former governor. But recently, EFCC boss Ibrahim Magu confirmed to the media of the perpetual injunction issued on Odili’s case and said the commission’s quest to appeal the matter was being frustrated by the Court of Appeal since 2008. According to the EFCC, the case of Odili will be re-opened.

efcc invited.jpg

Adamu Mu’azu

Apart from the crisis that rocked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leading to his sudden “disappearance” after the party lost the 2015 general elections, its former National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, has a pending case with the EFCC. His case borders on the alleged mismanagement of N19.8 billion when he was governor of Bauchi State between 1999 and 2007.

Joshua Dariye

Former governor of Plateau State, Chief Joshua Dariye, has a running battle with the EFCC after he was alleged to have siphoned about N1.2 billion of the state’s ecological fund. He was being prosecuted on a 23-count charge on diversion of funds into private accounts and money laundering. In an EFCC document obtained by Daily Trust, in addition, he is also alleged to have diverted about N204 million meant for the state treasury, to Ebenezer Retnan Ventures, ERV - a company linked to him.

Saminu Turaki

Alhaji Saminu Turaki, according to the EFCC, is alleged to have misappropriated N36 billion involving a case of criminal conspiracy, stealing, money laundering and misappropriation of public funds. Turaki was Jigawa State governor between May 29, 1999 and May 29, 2007.


Stella Oduah

Stella Oduah was a key member in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan as Minister of Aviation. She is being prosecuted by the EFCC over two, now-infamous armoured BMW cars allegedly purchased for N255million by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) under her watch. On August 26, 2015, she obtained an interim injunction stopping the EFCC from prosecuting her on the matter, a position the anti-graft agency challenged.

Adebayo Alao-Akala
The former governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala was prosecuted alongside his former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Hosea Agboola, and a businessman, Mr. Femi Babalola of a N11.5 billion fraud in 2012.

Ayo Fayose

The EFCC has been on the heels of the Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, for an alleged mismanagement of N1.2billion poultry project when he was governor between 2003 and 2006. At a point, he wanted the charges quashed through a court order pointing out that the offences were committed in Ekiti State and not Lagos. The EFCC, on November 22, 2012 re-arraigned the former governor on a 27-count amended charge over an N416 million scam. Presently, the trial of Fayose has been suspended because of an immunity clause.

Orji Uzor Kalu
The EFCC accused the former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, of diverting the state’s N5.6 billion while in office from 1999 to 2007. He was arraigned in July 2007 on a 107-count charge on money laundering, official corruption and criminal diversion of public funds.

Boni Haruna
Former Governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Boni Haruna, is facing a 28-count charge of fraud and embezzlement preferred against him and three others by the EFCC.

Gbenga Daniel
A former governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel has also been accused of corruption by the EFCC. The former governor is being prosecuted for alleged mismanagement of state funds between 2003 and 2011. He is facing trial on a 38-count charge of stealing and fraudulent conversion of public property as well as false declaration of assets to the tune of N211.3million.




Source: DailyTrust Newspaper
 
Back
Top