EFCC probes Elechi, Kano, Katsina officials

Elechi submitted himself at the head offices of the anti graft agency in Abuja in response to its invitation. Commission spokesman Wilson Uwujaren confirmed the ex governor was quizzed by operatives. Daily Trust learnt that Elechi spent hours answering questions on how state funds were spent.Allegations against the former governor are said to include theft of millions […]

Elechi submitted himself at the head offices of the anti graft agency in Abuja in response to its invitation.
 Commission spokesman Wilson Uwujaren confirmed the ex governor was quizzed by operatives.
 Daily Trust learnt that Elechi spent hours answering questions on how state funds were spent.
Allegations against the former governor are said to include theft of millions of naira in the asphalt contract for the 13 local governments.
The contract which was allegedly awarded to the son of the former governor Elechi Nnanna Elechi, was only executed in six out of the13 local governments despite payment of funds.
Our correspondent gathered that the former governor is also questioned over misappropriation of funds earmarked for the centenary celebration.
He was also said to have been quizzed on deductions made from the stabilization fund account which accounted for one-third of the state revenue.
The anti-graft agency also invited and interrogated the permanent Secretary Ministry of Works, Accountant General; Commissioner for Finance and Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy Matters.
Kano
Daily Trust also gathered that the Accountant General of Kano state was interrogated by EFCC agents in Abuja yesterday.
Sources told Daily Trust he was invited in connection with a petition against the former governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso by pensioners.
The pensioners demanded that Kwankwaso be invited to answer for about N2 billion pensioners trust money.
The pensioners also alleged that the accountant general should be made to answer for withholding about N10 billion belonging to the state pensioners.
Shema’s key officials quizzed
The EFCC has also begun investigations into the activities of former Katsina state Governor Ibrahim Shema.
Sources said some key officials of the state were to appear before the commission today over questionable financial dealings between 2011-2015.
The officials include the Accountant General, Permanent Secretaries ministry of works as well as agriculture and the Managing Director of the state Road Maintenance Agency.
Their invitation letters seen by Daily Trust in Katsina said the officials were being invited in relation ‘to a case in which the need to obtain certain clarification from them became imperative’.
The officials according to the documents are to come along with all allocations made to the state and local governments from the federation account from 2011-2015.
Others are fund releases made to the road maintenance agency, ministry of works, housing, transportation, agriculture and sports from 2011-2015 as well as statutory budget of the state within the period.
All contracts awarded from 2011-2015, yearly budget of the same period, actual fund releases to the ministries and agencies and actual expenditure from 2011-2015, are also expected to be provided by the officials.
It would be recalled that in 2013, the general manager of the state housing authority was equally invited for allegedly obtaining money under false pretence, and fraud. The officer in charge was asked to come along with all relevant documentation regarding land allocated to the state by FCDA.
When contacted, the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren said he was not aware if the officials visited the EFCC office in Abuja for any clarifications on financial dealings in the state.
However, sources at the commission told our correspondent in confidence that some local government chairmen in Katsina state have started coming to the EFCC headquarters to answer questions over ongoing financial crimes investigations.
The sources said the other state officials may arrive later to make clarifications or give details on certain financial dealings.
Former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido is also expected to honour invitation of the anti-graft agency tomorrow.