The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission plans to bring former Kwara State governor, Abdulfattah Ahmed, before the Federal High Court in Ilorin on Friday for an alleged N10bn fraud.
Sources within the anti-graft agency confirm his detention since Monday following an invitation for interrogation.
“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 our correspondent.
The ex-governor has been detained by the EFCC since Monday when he honoured an invitation for interrogation.
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Alhaji AbdulWahab Oba, the Chief Press Secretary, affirmed that the governor’s visit to the EFCC office on Monday was merely “procedural and routine.”
Oba stated, “Dr Ahmed’s engagement with the EFCC is part of standard procedure, and he willingly attended as he has consistently done.
He remains open to addressing any inquiries or concerns related to his tenure as the state governor.” Oba expressed concern on Tuesday night, noting that the EFCC was retaining Ahmed and highlighting the challenging bail conditions imposed.
“Yes, he is still with the EFCC and we are now in a dilemma over the issue because they keep changing the goalpost during the match. The case is taking a new dimension, which we don’t really understand for now.”
“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.
On Wednesday, Kwara State’s opposition Peoples Democratic Party members peacefully protested at the EFCC zonal office in Ilorin, where Ahmed was detained.
Carrying placards with various messages, they expressed discontent over his imprisonment. Led by PDP’s state Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, they accused the state’s All Progressives Congress of being responsible for Ahmed’s troubles.
Some placards read, “EFCC should not serve as a tool for Abdulrazaq-led APC,” “Governor Ahmed was transparent,” and “EFCC, cease the harassment.”
In response to the protesters, EFCC’s zonal commander, Michael Nzekwe, stated that Ahmed had been granted administrative 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.
