EFCC Detains Igbinedion

Former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, who returned to the country on Sunday, was detained as a “Special Guest” yesterday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) preparatory to his arraignment in court.
True to his promise to make himself available to the commission yesterday, Igbinedion surrendered himself to EFCC around 12.30 pm and was subsequently detained.
EFCC had earlier declared him wanted for alleged money laundering and stealing of amounts totalling N2.9bn during his tenure.
Yesterday, Igbinedion arrived at the commission's office on 15 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, in a black Toyota Corolla car with registration number -Lagos EC274KRD.
He signed in at the front desk of the commission before being ushered into the main office of EFCC.

The former governor was escorted to the commission’s office by his lawyers, led by Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN), and his younger brother, Dr. Fred Igbinedion.
One of the lawyers, who spoke briefly with THISDAY, said the former governor had already made a statement to the commission.
Igbinedion was in the custody of EFCC up till press time last night and there are indications that he may be charged to court soon.
EFCC had declared Igbinedion wanted after it obtained an order for his arrest from a Federal High Court, Abuja

It could not be ascertained last night if the former governor would be arraigned in Lagos or in Kaduna where EFCC had filed a 147-count charge of money laundering and abuse of office against the ex-governor.
The charge was filed at the Federal High Court, Kaduna before Justice Muhammed Lawal Shuaibu who is at present presiding the trial of former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori, also for alleged money laundering and stealing.
Three companies - Kiva Corporation Limited, Gava Corporation Limited, and Ekpen and Sons - were also charged along with Igbinedion.
The former governor was said to have used his relatives to siphon the said N2.9bn.
According to the commission, the sum was looted and transferred through numerous companies, including Gava Corporation Ltd.

Another company belonging to his brother, Mike Igbinedion, was said to have also been used to transfer part of the money.
Last week, the London Metropolitan Police searched Igbinedion’s London house
The house is located at the High Gate area of London, one of the high brow areas of the city.
THISDAY learnt that the search may have been conducted by the Met Police in a bid to uncover any incriminating material that may help in prosecuting Igbinedion for anti-money laundering offences in the United Kingdom.
The search was reminiscent of similar raids by the Met Police on the London residences of the impeached governor of Bayelsa State, Chief DSP Alamiyeseigha, and former Plateau State governor, Chief Joshua Dariye.

During the raid on Igbinedion’s house, Met Police detectives saw two Mercedes Benz cars and a Bentley worth £200,000 parked in the drive way of the palatial building.
They did not remove the vehicles but the detectives left with some documents, sources said.
The house was said to have been bought for £6.2m in 2000 but is now worth £6m.
It was learnt that the search might have been in response to the international manhunt ordered for Igbinedion by EFCC.

The commission believed Igbinedion had been on the run since he left office on May 29, 2007.
But in his reaction, Igbinedion alleged a deliberate plan by EFCC to taint him as a "fugitive running away from justice" by rushing to court to seek an order for his arrest.
He said he would appear before the commission yesterday, a promise he has now fulfilled.

In a two-page letter to the EFCC Chairman by his lawyers, Ahonaruogho, Ahonaruogho and Co, the ex-governor said the commission was aimed at ruining the good name built over the years by his family.
Condemning EFCC’s move, Igbinedion’s counsel said: “Our client is completely saddened that the commission has, without giving an opportunity to our client to appear to defend the charges against him, rushed to court for an order for his arrest in its attempt to put our client in the court of public opinion as a fugitive running away from justice.
”The antics of the commission in obtaining the said order of court and the subsequent declaration of our client as a wanted person, clearly runs against the grains of the administration of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and the rule of law which it preaches.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state categorically that our client, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, shortly after leaving office as the governor of Edo State of Nigeria on 29th May, 2007 travelled overseas for his vacation and to attend to his personal needs. Whilst overseas, a letter of invitation was extended to him by the commission through the Edo State Government.
”When the said letter of invitation by the commission was brought to his attention, he promptly replied and requested for a fresh date to attend to the invitation.
"He later returned to Nigeria where he visited the offices of the commission on 13th and 14th June, 2007 and made written statements relating to his activities as governor of Edo State to the commission and was subsequently allowed to depart.”