Eighteen
senators are under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) for alleged N367.5billion fraud, it was learnt yesterday.
Seven are on
trial. Some of the cases date back to 10 years.
A senator is
being investigated for alleged stamp duty infractions.
One or two
senators (outside the list) are under investigation for their alleged
involvement in the N19billion and $86million London-Paris Club refund in which
seven governors have been implicated.
The Nation
stumbled on a fact-sheet which indicates that 11 of the senators under
investigation are from the North. The others are from the South.
Those facing
trial include two from Northcentral, three from Northwest, one from Northeast
and one from Southeast.
Those being
investigated cut across the six-geopolitical zones.
Most of the
N367.5 billion alleged fraud border on money laundering, misappropriation,
unexecuted contracts, diversion of public funds to campaigns, and others.
In one of the
cases, a senator is being probed for alleged diversion of about N108billion
while he was a governor in one of the states in the South-South.
A senator
allegedly embezzled about N47billion when he was a governor. Investigators
believe he was aided by his wife and son.
A senator is
standing trial for alleged mismanagement of N1.2billion ecological funds;
another allegedly diverted to other uses N1billion meant for the repair of a
collapsed dam.
The other
strands of the fraud include laundering of N40billion by a senator from the
North-East; diversion of N3billion to campaign by a North-West senator;
149-count charge of mismanagement of N15billion by a senator from the
North-Central and the arraignment of a North-West senator for allegedly
N52billion fraud.
There
are N9billion case involving a senator
from the South-East; N2.1billion contract fraud by a member of the Upper
Chamber from the South-South; N10.2billion fraud traced to a senator from the
North-West and N2billion diverted funds credited to a senator from the
North-Central.
Two aides of
a senator, who is being probed for alleged illegal deduction of N3.5billion
from the London-Paris Club refund have been quizzed.
Three new
senators from the North-Central, South-East and South-West have been under
investigation for some infractions, including alleged Stamp Duty collection
fraud.
An EFCC
source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The case files of all these 18 senators
are already with us. Seven of them are already on trial.
“But,
certainly, 11 others will be prosecuted at the appropriate time. It may
interest you that some agencies in a few international jurisdictions are
interested in some of the cases against some of these senators.
“It might
also interest you that some of these cases predated the appointment of the
present Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu. But since continuity is a
cardinal principle of the EFCC, Magu has decided to ensure that the matters in
court are pursued to logical conclusion. There is also no waiver for all cases
undergoing investigation.”
In response
to a question, the source added: “Magu has no personal problem with any
senator. He inherited most of these cases.”
Meanwhile, it
was learnt that some of the senators have also made a “strong case for the
discontinuation of either their investigation or prosecution by the EFCC as
part of the conditions for supporting
Magu.
“In one of
the lobbying sessions, a senator from the North-East said he committed no crime
to have been subjected to trial by the EFCC.
“Although a
Senator from the North-Central was aggrieved, he was reported to have said: ‘I
won’t block the nomination of Magu because he is probing me. I have forgiven
him. But I know I did not commit any fraud and I will be vindicated in the
end.”
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