BREAKING: EFCC Places Anambra Gov, Obiano On Watchlist, Blocks Him From Travelling Out - Asaba Gist News

 

Nov 25, 2021

Over the past few weeks, the the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission seems to have doubled its efforts in curbing corruption in the country.

This is as the anti-graft agency in the past few weeks has either invited some top politicians for questioning or has dragged them to court to face allegations against them.

The latest on the EFCC's eye is the governor of Anambra state, Willie Obiano.

Here is a look at what the EFCC recently announced about him and others who are also in EFCC's net.

EFCC Places Obiano On Watchlist

In November, the people of Anambra state took to the polls to elect a new governor.

Obiano's tenure officially comes to an end on March 16, 2022 as Charles Soludo, a former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria has been elected to take over.

However, a few months to the end of Obiaono's tenure, the EFCC placed the Anambra governor on its watch list.

This was disclosed in a letter to the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service dated November 15, 2021.

According to a report by Punch, the anti-graft agency is calling on the NIS to place Obiano on a watch list and inform it anytime he is travelling out of the country from any of the international airports and other points of entry and exit.

As of the time of this report, it is unclear why the EFCC is making such a move.

However, some sources had said it might be an indication that the agency may have been discreetly investigating Obiano.

In addition, it was alleged that the anti-graft agency might have intelligence that the out-going Anambra governor has plans to escape after he hands over power to his successor, Prof Charles Soludo.

It is important to note that sitting governors in Nigeria have immunity from criminal prosecution while in office.

There are also reports that Obiano is one of several governors being investigated for graft and money laundering.

Fani-Kayode Recently Arrested By EFCC

As earlier stated, Obiano is not the only one on EFCC's radar

On Tuesday, news made the rounds that the anti-graft agency arrested a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode.

A report by Guardian noted that Fani-Kayode was arrested over allegation of forgery and manipulation of documents.

The report further explained that the former minister was arrested and questioned on possible forgery of hospital documents to hoodwink the court handling the case against him on money laundering with a view to stalling hearing.

FFK as he is fondly called was said to be grilled at the Lagos office of the commission. 

EFCC’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the arrest of the former minister to The Guardian.

Fani-Kayode had earlier been dragged to court by the EFCC alongside a former Minister of State for Finance, Nenadi Usman and Yusuf Danjuma, a former Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and a company, Jointrust Dimentions Nig. Ltd.

An operative of the Anti-corruption agency who later spoke with Vanguard explained that Fani-Kayode flew to Lagos on Tuesday and he has since been released by the EFCC on self-recognition.

Hours after news of his arrest went viral, Fani-Kayode took to social media to make a statement.

The former minister denied that he had been arrested by the EFCC.

According to FFK, he was only invited and he had to fly down to Lagos to see the EFCC at their Lagos office.

Fani-Kayode also explained that he stayed with the EFCC from 2:00pm till 8:30pm after which he was granted bail.

Taking to social media, he wrote, "Just arrived at the George Hotel for dinner. I was never arrested by the EFCC. I was invited & I flew down to Lagos to see them. I arrived in their office at 2.00pm & left at 8.30pm. I was granted bail on self recognition. They were very polite & professional. Thanks be to God."

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