EFCC declares Lucky Igbinedion, ex-governor of Edo State wanted

In its quest to sanitize the Augean stable and rescue the country from the shackles of corruption, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken the battle to the doorstep of a former governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion of Edo State, the commission has therefore declare the ex-governor wanted on the allegation of stolen funds. The ex-governor has been accused of stealing, corruption and abuse of office to the tune of N2.9 billion while in office as the governor of the state. His warrant of arrest was signed earlier today by Justice Murtala Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ’s federal capital territory.

I’m Ready to Return to Nigeria, Igbinedion Tells EFCC

Jolted by the warrant issued for his arrest, former Edo State Governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion has sent a letter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)expressing his intention to return to the country to answer to the 142 count charges instituted against him by the commission.

The former governor however gave the commssion some conditions to be met. He requested to be assured that he will be safe to do so and that he will be free from intimidation and harassment when he returns. He also requested that the commission return to court to vacate the warrant of arrest against the former governor and withdraw the order declaring him wanted.
A letter written to the commission on behalf of the former governor by his lawyer, Chief Richard Oma Ahonaruogho of Paradise Law Firm said Igbinedion was declared wanted without following due process as he was never served any notice of invitation that he did not honour, neither was he given an opportunity to appear to defend the charges against him before he was declared wanted.

According to him, the former governor who traveled abroad on vacation and for personal needs immediately after his tenure was earlier invited by the agency to attend to some issues, to which he obliged and answered the questions from the commission before being let off.
The release reads:

“At the said visit no petition or any allegation of any criminal offence was brought to his attention by the commission and our client has been denied the opportunity to confront his accusers or rebut the allegations against
“Our client during his said visit to the commission’s office in Abuja made it known that he was in fact traveling back overseas. There has been no subsequent invitation to our client by the commission to which our client failed to appear.
“It is therefore most surprising that our client can be portrayed by the commission to Nigerians and indeed the international community as a fugitive fleeing from justice."