The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will arraign the immediate-past governor of Kwara State, Abdulfattah Ahmed, for alleged N10bn fraud on Friday, The PUNCH has learnt.
According to reports the anti-graft agency said the ex-governor would be dragged before the Federal High Court in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
“He is going to be arraigned on Friday at the Federal High Court in Ilorin for diversion of funds, amounting to N10bn,” the source told PUNCH.
The former governor has been held in EFCC custody since Monday, when he responded to an invitation for questioning.
Alhaji AbdulWahab Oba, his Chief Press Secretary, verified his boss’s appearance at the EFCC office on Monday, describing it as a “procedural and routine” matter.
“Dr Ahmed’s visit to the EFCC is procedural and routine. He was invited and he honoured them as he’s always done. He’s always ready to respond to any query or question regarding his tenure as a governor of the state.”
Tuesday night, Oba expressed frustration over Ahmed’s continued detention by the EFCC, citing the imposition of stringent bail terms.
“Initially they said they wanted him to produce two sureties who are federal directors. The sureties came and were asked to provide landed properties in Abuja. We see this as a contradiction. The case was initially handled by the EFCC office in Abuja before it was transferred to Ilorin over the issue of jurisdiction. Additionally, he has been denied access to his doctors, medication and direct access to his cook,” Oba said.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State held a peaceful demonstration at the EFCC zonal office in Ilorin, where Ahmed was being held.
Carrying placards bearing various messages, the protesters voiced their dissatisfaction with Ahmed’s detention.
Under the leadership of the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olusegun Adewara, the party members accused the All Progressives Congress in the state of being responsible for Ahmed’s predicament.
Some of the inscriptions on their placards read: “EFCC should stop being a tool in the hands of Abdulrazaq led-APC”, “Governor Ahmed was very transparent”, “EFCC is not a department in the APC, EFCC, stop the harassment”, “The opposition cannot be silenced”, “Maigida will not join the APC no matter the persecution”, “EFCC, don’t instigate political crisis in Kwara State”, “No to illegal detention. Respect the rule of law”, among others.
But addressing the protesters, the zonal commander of the EFCC, Michael Nzekwe, said Ahmed had been given an administration bail but he could not meet the conditions.
“We’re wrapping up. Once we wrap up, the law will take its course. The anti-graft agency, being a creation of law, would not go contrary to law.
“Everything we’ve done is within the ambit of the law. The former governor is cooperating with us and we’re making good progress following rules of law. As I speak, he’s with his lawyer, a SAN; he attends to everyone who comes to see him, and he has a doctor who has attended to him. He eats what he wants to eat. I urge us to allow the law take its course. We’re not partisan nor prompted by anybody. This body is solely sponsored by the Federal Government,” Nzekwe said.