The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said, yesterday, it would begin prosecution of outgoing governors who prima facie cases of corruption have been established against them following investigations by the Commission.

The commission said the prosecution will begin as soon as they hand over on May 29.

It revealed that steps have been taken to ensure that any of them who have question to answer regarding corruption does not escape.

It, however, did not reveal identities of the governors involved.

Acting spokesman of the anti-graft body, Tony Orilade also disclosed that governors who have been found to be involved in vote buying during the recently concluded election would be made to face the music.

Governors who will be leaving office by May 29 include Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe) and Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe).

The outcome of supplementary elections and collation of governorship elections in Sokoto, Adamawa , Bauchi, Plateau, Benue, Kano, Rivers billed for this weekend will determine the fate of Governors Aminu Tambuwal, Bindo Umaru Jibrilla, Mohammed Abubakar, Simon Lalong, Samuel Ortom, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Nyesom Wike.

According to Orilade, “we will go after them when they no longer enjoy constitutional immunity. That will be after May 29. Any person who has a question to answer will be invited to answer the question.”

On governors accused of withdrawing large amount of money for vote buying, he said: “We have already gone after them. But don’t forget that the extent of their involvement will be determined by the investigation that is ongoing. And until that investigation is concluded we cannot come up to say this is what the true position is on the matter.”

Asked to state specifically the governors who have been investigated and who cases of corruption have been established against, the EFCC spokesman said: “Just wait and see. We are doing our job here. Although the constitution provides for immunity for governors, it does not stop investigation of them. What I can I tell you is that after May 29, some of the former governors will answer to some of the things they did.”

•Excerpted from a Daily Sun report

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