By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has concluded plans to go after some outgoing governors and other public officials after May 29.
EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, disclosed this on Thursday, 23 March, 2023 at the headquarters of the commission during an exclusive interview with a northern based national newspaper.
The anti-corruption czar, who did not give names or the number of public officials that would be brought under the law, said besides targeting those to be picked at the end of this administration, at least two ministries are currently under the radar of the commission for fraudulent activities that border on procurement processes
According to him, one of the ministries committed fraud on about 20 contracts to the tune of N4 billion.
“Currently, we’re investigating two ministries where double payments were made. In one of the ministries, the double payments, cumulatively, were about 20 contracts of over N4bn These were contracts that were done way back 2018, and then some group of people, so bold, came up with the same narration.
“They moved the documents from the file, forged them, and then of course in conspiracy of some civil servants, raised vouchers and pay. How can that happen if we have digitalised procurement processes,” EFCC boss said.
Thegazellenews.com reports that governors are among public officials that enjoy immunity and therefore could not be arrested or tried while in office.
