The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a dozen of top government officials in Imo and Kwara states for surreptitious withdrawal of over two billion naira for alleged vote-buying to ensure the victory of their preferred candidates.
While the Acting Accountant General of Imo State, Mr. Uzoho Cashmier, was arrested yesterday over withdrawal of N1.050 billion between Tuesday and Friday, no fewer than 10 officials of the Kwara State government had been detained and released on bail by the EFCC over cash withdrawal of N1.020 billion.
In a report, the EFCC listed the commissioner for finance, Nurudeen Banu, and commissioner for water resources, Yusuf Abdulkadir, alongside some top officials of the state government that were rested.
The report said the withdrawals were uncovered after operatives acted on a petition by a non-governmental organization, the Kwara Coalition for Good Governance and Accountability, asking for the probe of over one billion naira loan that the government secured from a bank a few days before the general elections.
Meanwhile, the Media Adviser to the Kwara State Governor, Muyideen Akorede, has denied allegations that the cash withdrawal was meant for vote-buying. He said that the money was appropriated for in the budget and thus could not have been illegal to withdraw.
Join our twitter community :