Intelligence reports indicate that three serving Nigerian governors are being watched for corrupt practices and money laundering since their inauguration in office on May 29, 2007.
A reliable source who is familiar with the intelligence reports revealed to Saharareporters that the governors currently being targeted for emerging signs of corruption are those of Sokoto State, Delta State and Cross River State. All three governors have generated some intelligence buzz about their illicit financial activities.
“These three governors have exhibited early signs of recklessness and shadiness in their handling of state funds,” our source said.
Governor Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto State tops the list of the three state governors being monitored by anti-graft intelligence officials, according to documents shown to our correspondent.
A barely literate man, Governor Wamakko was imposed on the People Democratic Party as a candidate by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Wamakko replaced his current deputy, Alhaji Muktar Shagari, as PDP candidate. Prior to becoming the PDP candidate, Wamakko was a member of the ANPP and once served as deputy to Alhaji Bafarawa, a position from which he was removed in lieu of impeachment. Wamakko was cited for direct embezzlement of state funds, through contract inflation, direct looting and conversion of UBA shares belonging to Sokoto state.
Governor Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State occupies the second spot. The intelligence reports accuse him of contract inflation. He is also cited for demanding $10 million kickback from a U.S.-based company that bid to set up a refinery in the state.
Governor Akpabio is also accused of wastage of state resources in several international trips that had no bearing on state matters. The document did not state how many times the governor had travelled out of state or for which purpose. However, the document noted that the governor, who was a commissioner under former Governor Obong Victor Attah (who is under investigation for corruption), has brought in some Port Harcourt-based contractors with whom he inflates state contracts.
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta is the third governor being seriously watched for corruption and financial recklessness. Mr. Uduaghan is a cousin of former Governor James Onanefe Ibori, who is currently standing trial on multiple counts of corruption, abuse of office and graft. Last week, Ibori was released on bail after he spent 60 days remanded at the Kaduna Prison.
The intelligence document charges Mr. Uduaghan of reckless financial dealings. It reported that the governor continues to "cover-up massive budget deficits in the oil rich state while continuing on the part of intemperate squandering of Delta State resources.” He is fingered in the intelligence reports for sponsoring frivolous trips for legislators and their family members, a trait associated with the previous administration and which is a thinly disguised way of bribing members of the State Assembly,” according to the report.
In its summary, the document states that several new governors were increasingly using Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia and China as the new routes to ferry funds out of Nigeria. It named the wife of Oyo State Governor Alao Akala as using state resources to engage in private businesses.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content1'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('comments'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content2'); });