Daniel, Alao-Akala, Doma To Remain In EFCC Custody Over N100b Fraud

The three former governors, Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State, Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State and Aliyu Akwe Doma of Nasarawa State arrested yesterday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, may not regain their freedom soon.

They were picked up yesterday in connection with alleged mismanagement of about N100 billion while they were governors of their respective states.

This afternoon, the spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Femi Babafemi, confirmed to P.M.NEWS that the former governors were still in the custody of EFCC in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

Babafemi declined to say when they will be set free.

Sources said it is likely charges will be brought against them next week.

Petitions against the governors from their states had flooded EFCC’s office before the governors left office in May this year.

This prompted the setting up of a six-man panel, chaired by the boss of EFCC, Mrs. Farida Waziri , to investigate the allegations contained in the petitions.

While Daniel was accused of misappropriating N25 billion, Alao-Akala was accused of mismanaging N58.5 billion and Akwe Doma allegedly misappropriated N18 billion.

Some of the specific allegations against Daniel, according to EFCC, are as follows:

“Diversion of about N12 billion revenue in Ogun State Bureau of Lands and Survey; non-remittance of N1 billion deducted from Ogun State workers’ salaries; fraudulent and illegal payment of N1 billion purportedly as counterpart funding for water projects; illegal debt servicing to the tune of N5.2 billion as against an appropriation of N350 million for the same purpose in 2009.

“Payment of N300 million electricity utility charges by the State Electricity Project Agency, despite direct deduction of same from various ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs; diversion of N500 million agricultural loan granted by National Agricultural Credit Bank for Rural Development; diversion to cronies and associates of N5 billion in the name of salaries and allowances under the contingency and miscellaneous of the office of the governor.

“Questionable transfer and disposal of government-owned enterprises and investment portfolio of over N15 billion by Gateway Holding without enabling law or House of Assembly approval; illegal purchase of 20 refurbished graders to the tune of N950 million for Local Government Areas and subsequent deductions from their allocations monthly; illegal purchase of 20 Toyota Prado SUVs to the tune of N200 million for local government areas and subsequent illegal deduction of same from their accounts and allocations; and fraudulent procurement of loans from various financial institutions (mostly banks) amounting to over N22 billion without approval from the House of Assembly.”

—Ada Owojela