The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has revealed that 18 serving governors across Nigeria are currently under investigation by the anti-graft agency for various alleged financial infractions.
Olukoyede made this disclosure on Friday during a public awareness programme in Lagos focused on addressing the misuse and abuse of the Nigerian currency.
According to the EFCC boss, the commission initiates investigations while public officials are still in office, though certain actions are delayed until they vacate their positions due to constitutional immunity.
"We don't wait until governors complete their tenure before we begin our work. Right now, the EFCC is actively investigating 18 sitting governors. Once their tenures are over, we will proceed accordingly," Olukoyede stated.
Former Governor's Embarrassing UK Incident
During the event, the EFCC Chairman shared an intriguing anecdote about a former Nigerian governor who fled the country immediately after leaving office to evade arrest by the commission.
The ex-governor reportedly traveled to the United Kingdom where he hosted an extravagant birthday celebration at a hotel. During the party, he began "spraying" British currency in denominations of £10 and £50 notes, a practice common in Nigerian celebrations but unusual in the UK.
This behavior alarmed the hotel staff, prompting the manager to contact emergency services under the impression that the guest might be experiencing a mental health crisis.
"When the Metropolitan Police arrived, they prepared to detain him, even calling an ambulance, believing they were dealing with a psychiatric episode," Olukoyede recounted.
The situation was only resolved when two other Nigerian governors and associates of the former governor, who had traveled to the UK for the celebration, intervened and explained the cultural context to British authorities.
"The hotel manager had never seen such conduct before and mistook it for a sign of mental distress. It was only after his friends explained that the situation was defused," the EFCC Chairman added.
This revelation comes amid intensified efforts by the anti-corruption agency to combat financial crimes and hold public officials accountable regardless of their status or position.
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