November 12, 2021

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC)  has established a criminal case of diversion of N1.6 billion public funds against the former governor of Edo State, Mr Lucky Igbinedion.

This followed the invitation and quizzing of the ex-governor by EFCC operatives.

Inside sources said Igbinedion who had been under the radar of the anti-graft commission arrived at the headquarters of the EFCC, at Jabi, Abuja, around 2pm, on Thursday.

As at Friday, he was still being quizzed over several allegations against him. Igbinedion is not new to the EFCC. He has had some of his property confiscated shortly after leaving office.

The former Edo governor was reported to have been found culpable using public funds to build and acquire property across the country and offshore. One of the celebrated property was the mansion at Asokoro, a highbrow area of Abuja.

The mansion spread on several hectares of land on the highly side of Asokoro is an architectural showpiece in obscenity with several sitting rooms, discotheques, conference rooms, swimming pool and other accessories and facilities.

Shortly after his exit as governor in 2007, Igbinedion was prosecuted by the EFCC and convicted of corruption.

The new investigation, according to the source who was not authorised to speak on the matter, was based on fresh evidence against him.

The source said that the former governor diverted a loan obtained by the Edo State Government to finance an investment during his tenure, to settle the debt of a company in which he had interest.

Mr Wilson Uwujaren, spokesperson for the EFCC has confirmed the invitation of the former governor.