EFCC Arrests Ohakim, Quizzes Sule Lamido...

Paul Obi in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arrested former governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedia Ohakim over corruption allegations.

The commission also interrogated the former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido for several hours.

Wilson Uwujaren confirmed the arrest to THISDAY, but said he was not sure when Ohakim is due to appear in court.

Ohakim, who was invited by the anti-graft commission to clarify some issues raised against him during the probe of his administration on Wednesday, failed to show up.

He was summoned to answer questions in an ongoing investigation into allegations of corruption and embezzlement by his government.

The spokesman for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, had stated that Ikedi was expected to shed more light on issues in an old case being investigated by the anti-agency.

He said: “We were expecting a former governor of Imo State, Ihedi Ohakim, today (Wednesday) to come and shed light on some issues in an old case we have been investigating. We are about rounding off the investigation and we need him to clarify some issues, but he didn’t show up, he may still come today or tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Lamido, who is being accused of fraud totalling several billions of naira, had said he was always willing to honour the EFCC invitation even when he enjoyed immunity as a governor.

The former governor who arrived in Nigeria on Monday, had told journalists in his Bamaina village in Birninkudu local government area of the state, that he would honour an invitation by the anti0-graft agency yesterday.

He said since the EFCC is the anti- graft agency of the government recognised by law, he would not shun the invitation. “I am aware of the invitation.’’