…Moves to probe Kebbi, Osun, Ogun govs, Ag. NPA MD, Koko, others
A former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has been reportedly summoned for questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), over his secret assets and financial deals exposed in Pandora Papers.
Pandora Papers is the biggest leak of 11.9 million documents from off-shore services providers, detailing the secret off-shore accounts of 35 world leaders, including current and former presidents, prime ministers, and Heads of State as well as more than 100 billionaires, celebrities, and business leaders including Nigerians.
It was reported that the EFCC communicated the invitation to ex-Go. Obi during the week and that he has been asked to report at the agency’s Abuja headquarters on October 27, 2021 to face a team of investigators.
Recall that the report exposed how Obi, amongst other allegations, was said to have incorporated offshore holdings, which he did not declare to the Code of Conduct Bureau when he served as a governor. In addition, he also continued to operate a foreign account as a governor.
However, a source at the anti-graft agency reportedly disclosed to an online newspaper that the Pandora Papers revelations only served as a lead for investigators and that “a number of issues” are now being investigated regarding Obi and his off-shore dealings.
Apart from the former Anambra governor, the Acting NPA MD, Mohammed Bello-Koko, and former minister and serving Senator, Stella Oduah, have been pointedly mentioned in the report. Others include Kebbi State governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu , Governor Gboyega Oyetola, of Osun State, as well as his associates, including former Lagos Bola Tinubu, and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
It was further gathered from the EFCC that apart from Obi, all other names mentioned in the Pandora Papers, whether serving or not, will face investigation.
The anti-graft agency was yet to make any official pronouncement on its purported summons as at the time of filing this report.
