The much talked about actions of the EFCC against corrupt governors have been stopped temporarily by Umar Musa Yar’adua the winner of the massively rigged April 2007 polls. Yar’adua was “sworn-in” on May 29 2007 as Nigeria’s 4th civilian president despite glaring flaws in the elections that brought him to power.
Saharareporters confirmed that after being put in office by president Obasanjo, Mr. Yar’adua asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stop harassing out-going governors who were indicted for corruption, though some of the governors had already fled the country, others like governor Kalu of Abia State (who briefly fled to Gambia was asked to return back to Nigeria), Lucky Igbinedon of Edo State, Peter Odili of Rivers and Aliero were asked not to panic by Yar’adua. The reason for the reprieve was the strong influence of one of the most corrupt governors, Chief James ibori (former governor of Delta State) who was the biggest financier of Musa Yar’adua’s presidential campaigns . Chief James Ibori, Alhaji Muazu and Bukola Saraki are all indicted in the corruption probe carried out by the EFCC, but they all have serious power over Mr. Yar’adua who they have told in unmistakable terms to reign in the chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu.
Our sources at the State House (Aso Rock-Abuja) said Mr. Yar’adua yesterday met with Nuhu Ribadu and directed him to change his tactics against the governors. Hence, the EFCC will not be arresting any of the out-going governors indicted for corruption; the EFCC will now write the ex-governors “invitation letters” to come whenever they are available to explain their side of the story on corruption and then try to file civil charges against anyone found wanting. This new position contradicts EFCC’s earlier position which clearly stated that the governors had been indicted for corruption and that the EFCC was merely waiting for their immunity to run out.
Chief James Ibori and Bukola Saraki are said to favor the removal of Nuhu Ribadu as the EFCC chairman as a punishment for his over-reaching efforts that embarrassed them while in office. Though the EFCC never released any materials on the extent of the corruption of the Delta State governor, our sources in London said the Metropolitan Police had concluded plans to arrest Ibori for money laundering activities if he stepped into the UK.
Saharareporters investigations showed that though so many of the out-going governors no longer enjoys immunity, they have remained in Nigeria –in particular roaming the streets of Abuja- without being arrested by the EFCC as earlier promised.
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