Prominent anti-corruption crusader and human rights activist, Dr. Osadolor Ochei, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of shielding the former governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, from investigation over alleged looting of the state.

Dr. Ochie also advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to reward Oshiomhole with public office in view of the huge alleged corruption charges hanging on his neck, saying the former governor is no longer immune from investigation having left office many months ago.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, Dr. Osadolor accused EFCC and some powerful officials of the federal government of trying to cover up what he described as a “monumental fraud” committed by Oshiomhole while in office for eight years in Edo State.

“Based on our credible petition, we expected the agency to have invited the former Edo State Governor, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, by now over alleged funds diversion and misappropriation; but rather than doing that we are being told that President Muhammadu Buhari is planning to reward him with a ministerial position,” Dr. Ochie stated.

“In a petition co-signed by me and Mr. Kola Edokpayi and addressed to Acting EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu, we have accused the former governor of diverting a substantial

part of the funds borrowed by Oshiomohole’s administration for his private use and also enriching his close associates with huge, substantial evidence to back up our claims.

“Added to our claims is credible evidence to prove that the ex-governor diverted billions of state revenue and security votes to his personal account using proxies, while also awarding bogus inflated contracts. But until now EFCC has refused to act on it.”

Dr Osadolor added that on April 5, 2012, EFCC acknowledged receipt of their petition titled “A call to investigate Governor Adams Aliu Oshiomhole’s multi-billion naira mansion in Iyamho, Edo State,” which was signed by Matthew Edeghase Esq.

In addition to the said earlier petition, the anti-corruption crusader said they had added that the cost of the controversial mansion, that was designed and constructed by Verissimo (a South African Architect), is valued to be about N10 billion.

According to him, “The size and scope of the mansion completely negates all possible explanations for the source of Oshiomhole’s fund, which he had used for the construction.

“In 2014, Oshiomhole paid N23 million, via an Access Bank cheque, to Edo State Government for a parcel of land he claimed to have seized from the Federal Government at

Okoro Otun Avenue, GRA Benin City.”

•Text courtesy of Nigerian Pilot.

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