Obaseki placed on EFCC watch list as probe into contracts begins
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has placed former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki on its watch list as it launches an investigation into various transactions, including contracts awarded during his administration.
Obaseki, who completed his eight-year tenure on November 12, has claimed that the EFCC intends to arrest him shortly after leaving office.
In light of these developments, his successor, Monday Okpebholo, has formed a 14-member State Assets Verification Committee tasked with investigating Obaseki’s time in office.
On November 2, the EFCC arrested five officials from the Edo State government who served under Obaseki, including the Accountant General, Julius Anelu, due to significant withdrawals from the state treasury over a brief period.
READ ALSO: EFCC moves against Obaseki’s administration, detains Edo state account signatories
Despite the ongoing probe, Obaseki expressed confidence on November 8, stating that he is unafraid of the EFCC’s investigation and is prepared to cooperate by providing a full account of his administration’s activities.
However, top sources in the commission, who pleaded anonymity because they were not permitted to speak on the matter, said so far the bulk of the transactions under Obaseki’s administration had not been directly linked to him.
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.”
When 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.
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