The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede has recounted a case involving a former Nigerian governor who fled the country immediately after handing over power to evade arrest.
The unnamed ex-governor, the EFCC boss said, traveled to the United Kingdom, where he hosted a lavish birthday party in a hotel.
During the celebration, the former governor allegedly began spraying British pounds in denominations of £10 and £50, which startled the hotel staff. Concerned by the unusual behavior, the hotel manager contacted emergency services, fearing the guest might be mentally unstable.
“When the Metropolitan Police arrived, they prepared to detain him, even calling an ambulance, believing they were dealing with a psychiatric episode,” Olukoyede said.
He added that two other Nigerian governors and close associates of the former governor, who had travelled to the UK for the event, intervened and clarified the situation to the authorities.
“The hotel manager had never seen such conduct before and mistook it for a sign of mental distress. It was only after his friends explained that the situation was defused,” Olukoyede noted.
Olukoyede also disclosed that 18 sitting governors are currently under investigation by the agency for various alleged financial infractions.
“As I’m talking to you, we’re investigating about 18 governors who are still serving. When they leave office, we will go to the next level.”
The EFCC chairman made these disclosures during an engagement with critical stakeholders comprising movie producers, musicians, non-governmental organisations, media, bureau de change operators and legal professionals, among others, in Lagos on Friday, July 18, 2025.