EFCC Detains Former Gov Aliyu Over Scam Allegations..

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has detained former Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu, over N3.6 billion realised from sale of the state’s 16 of the 26 per cent stake in North-South Power Ltd and N2 billion ecological fund got from the Presidency in 2015.

The anti-graft agency believes that the cash from the two sources was laundered by the former governor and used for prosecution of the 2015 governorship election to enthrone one of its own protégés.

Vanguard sources at the EFCC confirmed that the ‘Chief Servant’, as he is fondly addressed, was detained since Tuesday at the headquarters of the EFCC around 10 a.m as he honoured an invitation by the anti-graft agency.

One of the top sources said Aliyu had been answering series of questions from a crack team of detectives since his arrival at the EFCC compound and was not about to be released as at press time.

The former governor is being quizzed on issues relating to abuse of office and money laundering and is likely to be arraigned if the outcome of the investigation indicts him.

Specifically, Aliyu is alleged to have diverted the N2 billion Ecological Funds for political purposes.

He is also alleged to have fraudulently sold the state’s stake in North South Power, the holding company for Kainji Dam.

Edited from Vanguard