EFCC investigates Edo contracts, places Obaseki on watch list

Former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, is reportedly under the watch of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as the anti-graft agency investigates transactions and contracts awarded during his eight-year tenure.

Obaseki, who left office on November 12, had previously claimed that the EFCC planned to arrest him shortly after his departure from office.

Despite this, the former governor stated on November 8 that he is not afraid of the investigation and is willing to cooperate with the EFCC to account for his administration.

In a related development, Obaseki’s successor, Governor Monday Okpebholo, has set up a 14-member State Assets Verification Committee to review the former administration’s activities.

Additionally, the EFCC recently arrested five officials who served under Obaseki, including the Accountant General, Julius Anelu, over allegations of significant withdrawals from the state treasury.

Sources within the EFCC disclosed that while the investigation is ongoing, no direct link to misconduct has been established against Obaseki himself.

The source said, “An investigation has commenced on his administration. He can’t just be invited until the work has got to a certain stage. Some team of crack investigators have been assigned to the case and have been trying to unravel some of the transactions including contracts awarded under his administration.

“The bulk of the transactions, you can’t trace it to him. He made use of others. There have been leads which we have been following and we hope to get something substantial.”

Asked if Obaseki had been watch-listed, another source said though not limited to Obaseki, all former governors are being watchlisted by the commission.

“All former governors are always on the commission’s watch list whether the commission has something with the fellow or not. We are not going to allow them to jet out of the country and then start going after them when we need them. So that is why we always place all of them on our watch list,” the source said.

Efforts to get the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, proved abortive as calls to his line were not answered. He had yet to respond to a text message sent to him on the matter as of the time of filing this report.

(Punch)