The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is set to arraign former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.
It is in connection with a suspected diversion of over N10 billion.
Ahmed yesterday honoured the anti-graft agency’s invitation at the Ilorin zonal office following which he was grilled again by investigators.
It was the ex-governor’s third interrogation in connection with the matter.
He was initially invited on December 8, 2020. The agency, it was learned, had agreed to Ahmed’s request to report voluntarily.
A source at the agency said : “The ex-governor was questioned about the diversion and mismanagement of N10 billion in Kwara State Government funds between 2011 and 2019.”
“It is about alleged diversion, misappropriation of funds and money laundering. We have been on this investigation since 2019.
“We contacted the ex-governor and asked him to report to the Ilorin Office because of jurisdiction. That is where he allegedly committed the crime.
“The former governor voluntarily reported to the EFCC office in Ilorin. There was no justification for arresting him.
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The source added, “We are attempting to tidy up the investigation ahead of the ex-governor’s arraignment before the Federal High Court in Ilorin.”
“We want to avoid frivolous jurisdiction applications that could take a long time to resolve. We will put the former governor on trial in Kwara State.
“We have detained the former governor to allow him to address some issues.” An official statement on the interrogation of the former governor was expected last night, before press time.
Ahmed’s spokesman, Wahab Oba, who confirmed the development, described the former governor’s visit to the EFCC as routine.
Oba said: “He was invited and he honoured them as he has always done.
“He’s always ready to respond to any query or question regarding his tenure as a governor of the state.
“There’s nothing unusual about the invitation and his honouring the anti-graft agency’s invitation.”
Ahmed was governor from May 29, 2011, to May 29, 2019.
He earned a B.Sc in Chemistry (1986) and a Master of Business Administration (1992) from the University of Ilorin.
He was a lecturer in Organic Chemistry and later Acting Head of the Department at the Federal College of Arts and Science, Sokoto (1986–1990).
He worked as an Assistant Manager at District Savings and Loans in Lagos from 1991 to 1993.
He worked for Guaranty Trust Bank beginning in 1993. In 1998, he joined Societe Generale Bank Nigeria as Senior Manager/Group Head of Consumer Banking. He later was appointed Public Sector Group Head for the Northwest region.
Between 2003 and 2009, Ahmed was Bukola Saraki’s Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development. He later became the Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development.
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