EFCC summons outgoing govs, commissioners for alleged corruption

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned outgoing governors to commence an investigation into alleged corruption and abuse of office perpetrated by them while in office.

The EFCC also wrote to the commissioners who served during the governors’ administration.

The latest development was disclosed via a statement issued by Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, on Wednesday, May 17.

Matawalle revealed that the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has sent invitations to all outgoing governors and commissioners in a bid to commence an investigation into alleged corruption and abuse of office perpetrated by them.

The governor, however, urged the EFCC chairman to extend the planned probe to the officials of the Presidency and members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

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He stressed that only the outgoing governors and states commissioners should not be probed for alleged corruption, adding that those at the Presidential Villa in Abuja should be summoned by the anti-graft agency.

Governor Matawalle added that Bawa must also surrender himself for investigation, challenging him to explain the way and manner he has prosecuted the anti-corruption fight in the country.

He noted that the EFCC boss needs to explain how seized assets by the anti-graft agency were sold without adherence to due process.

The governor stated: “My attention has been drawn to a statement credited to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Malam Abdulrasheed Bawa, in which he claimed he has sent invitations to all outgoing Governors and Commissioners in a bid to commence investigation into alleged corruption and abuse of office perpetrated by them while in office.

“While this is appropriate and commendable because it’s important for political office holders to account for their actions in office and EFCC is imbued with the power of investigation, however, this power must be exercised judiciously.

“The investigation must be wholistic and not selective. It is in this respect that the recent invitations and pronouncement by the EFCC Chair is imbalance, incomplete, hypocritical, and unnecessarily skewed.

“I demand that the EFCC chair extend similar invitations to officers of the Presidency and members of the Federal Executive Council, which is the highest tier of government in the country,” Matawalle said.

The Star