’18 Nigerian Senators under probe for alleged N367.5bn fraud’

Eighteen senators are under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged N367.5billion fraud, according to Sahara Reporters.

Seven of them are on trial.

A senator is being investigated for alleged stamp duty infractions.

One or two senators (outside the list) are under investigation for their alleged involvement in the N19 billion and $86 million London-Paris Club refund in which seven governors have been implicated.

The Nation stumbled on a fact-sheet which indicates that 11 of the senators under investigation are from the North. The others are from the South.

Those facing trial include two from North Central, three from North West, one from North East and one from South East.

Those being investigated cut across the six-geopolitical zones.

Most of the N367.5 billion alleged fraud border on money laundering, misappropriation, unexecuted contracts, diversion of public funds to campaigns, and others.

In one of the cases, a senator is being probed for alleged diversion of about N108 billion while he was a governor in one of the states in the South-South.

A senator allegedly embezzled about N47 billion when he was a governor.

A senator is standing trial for alleged mismanagement of N1.2 billion ecological funds; another allegedly diverted to other uses N1billion meant for the repair of a collapsed dam.

The other strands of the fraud include laundering of N40 billion by a senator from the North East; diversion of N3 billion to a campaign by a North West senator; 149-count charge of mismanagement of N15 billion by a senator from the North Central and the arraignment of a North West senator for alleged N52 billion fraud.

There is a N9 billion case involving a senator from the South East; N2.1 billion contract fraud by a member of the Upper Chamber from the South-South; N10.2 billion fraud traced to a senator from the North West and N2 billion diverted funds credited to a senator from the North Central.

Two aides of a senator, who is being probed for alleged illegal deduction of N3.5 billion from the London-Paris Club refund have been quizzed.

Three new senators from the North Central, South East and South West have been under investigation for some infractions, including alleged Stamp Duty collection fraud.

An EFCC source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The case files of all these 18 senators are already with us. Seven of them are already on trial.

“But, certainly, 11 others will be prosecuted at the appropriate time. It may interest you that some agencies in a few international jurisdictions are interested in some of the cases against some of these senators.

“It might also interest you that some of these cases predated the appointment of the present Acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu. But since continuity is a cardinal principle of the EFCC, Magu has decided to ensure that the matters in court are pursued to logical conclusion. There is also no waiver for all cases undergoing investigation.”

In response to a question, the source added: “Magu has no personal problem with any senator. He inherited most of these cases.”

Meanwhile, it was learnt that some of the senators have also made a “strong case for the discontinuation of either their investigation or prosecution by the EFCC as part of the conditions for supporting Magu.

“In one of the lobbying sessions, a senator from the North East said he committed no crime to have been subjected to trial by the EFCC.

“Although a Senator from the North-Central was aggrieved, he was reported to have said: ‘I won’t block the nomination of Magu because he is probing me. I have forgiven him. But I know I did not commit any fraud and I will be vindicated in the end.”

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