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EFCC declares Igbinedion wanted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared a former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, wanted for allegedly stealing N2.9bn from the state during his tenure.

The commission took the decision shortly after it obtained an order for his arrest from a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.

A 142-count charge, including abuse of office, has been slammed against him. Three companies - Kiva Corporation Limited, Gava Corporation Limited, and Ekpen and Sons - were charged with him.

Igbenedion, who ruled the state between 1999 and 2007, was said to have used his relatives to siphon the N2.9bn.

The sum, according to the EFCC, was looted and transferred through numerous companies, including Gava Corporation Ltd, owned by his father, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.

Another company belonging to his brother, Mike Igbinedion, was said to have also been used to transfer part of the money.

Count one of the charges against him reads, “That you, Lucky Igbinedion, on or about 22nd July, 2003 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did procure Gava Corporation Limited (a company owned by your father and other members of your family and in which you had substantial interest) to retain in its account, N34,800,000 which formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Edo State Government and you thereby, committed an offence contrary to Section 17 and punishable under Section 16 of Money Laundering (Prohibition ) Act 2003.”

Count two states, “That you, Lucky Igbinedion, on or about 27th June, 2003 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did procure Gava Corporation Limited to retain in its account, N1,306,594 which formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the state government and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17 and punishable under Section 16 of Money Laundering (Prohibition ) Act 2003.”

Count three reads, “That you, Lucky Igbinedion, on or about 4th June, 2003 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did procure Gava Corporation Limited retain in its account, N1,461,000 which formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the state government and, you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17 and punishable under Section 16 of Money Laundering (Prohibition ) Act 2003.”

Count four states, “That you, Lucky Igbinedion, on or about 3rd September, 2003 did procure Gava Corporation Limited to retain in its account, N2,327,105 which formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the state government and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17 and punishable under Section 16 of Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2003.”

Count five of the charges reads, “That you Lucky Igbinedion, on or about 20th September, 2003 did procure Gava Corporation Limited to retain in its account, the N3,107,000 which formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the state government and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17 and punishable under Section 16 of Money Laundering (Prohibition ) Act 2004.”

Igbinedion, who had been under investigation by the EFCC, left the country shortly before May 29. He was reported to have said in Morocco last week that he would soon return to Nigeria,

A counsel to EFCC, who spoke with our correspondent under anonymity, said the EFCC would make every effort to arrest the former governor.

According to him, Igbinedion will not be tried in absentia.

The Chairman of the EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, had last year accused about 31 former governors of corruption.

Seven of them are currently facing trials in the various divisions of the federal high court.

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