Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, says 18 sitting governors are currently under investigation by the agency.
Olukoyede disclosed this on Friday at a sensitisation programme in Lagos, which brought together stakeholders including filmmakers and bureau de change operators. The event focused on the dangers of naira abuse and mutilation.
Responding to questions from participants, the EFCC chairman revealed that the Commission does not wait for politicians to leave office before initiating investigations.
“I will give you an experience we had in EFCC. There was a time in this country when we were investigating a governor. We don’t wait until they finish their tenures before we investigate,” Olukoyede said.
“As I’m talking to you, I’m investigating about 18 governors who are still serving. When they leave (office), we will go to the next level.”
He went on to narrate an incident involving one of the governors currently under probe. According to him, the governor fled the country to avoid arrest the day after leaving office.
“This governor was investigated while he was in office. Immediately, he finished his tenure, the following day, he took off to England to avoid the arrest of EFCC.
“Coincidentally, that week happens to be his birthday. He organised a birthday party in the hotel where he was staying.
“While the party was going on, he started spraying pounds — 50 bills and 10 bills. So the manager of the hotel was called. He came down and saw the former governor spraying pounds. He had never seen such a thing in his life so he had to call 911.
“When the Metropolitan Police came, he asked that they should help arrest the former governor. The ex-governor was arrested and they wanted to put him in an ambulance.
“The people — his friends, colleagues, and two governors — who went to London to celebrate with him had to intervene. They said the ex-governor was not a mad man because the hotel manager thought he was mad.”
Olukoyede’s revelation highlights the EFCC’s growing scrutiny of sitting politicians and raises fresh questions about accountability in high office.
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