Crime
FORMER Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed remained in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the second day yesterday.
Ahmed, who was governor from 2011 to 2019, is being detained over alleged diversion of over N10 billion. He was for bail from the Kwara State facility of the anti-graft agency as at press time last night.
There were strong indications last night that the former governor will be taken from detention for trial at the Federal High Court, Ilorin.
The EFCC legal team, The Nation learnt, has arrived in the Kwara State capital from Abuja for Ahmed’ prosecution.
A source within the commission, who spoke in confidence, said: “The ex-governor is still in EFCC’s custody for the continuation of interrogation. He has a lot to answer and it is laughable to hear that Ahmed was on a routine visit to our zonal command in Ilorin. Visit for what?
“The truth is that he has a case to answer on the alleged diversion of N10billion. By the time he is arraigned, the people of the state will know the details from the charges.
“We are yet to release him; although he is battling for bail; we will not delay him more than necessary in line with the new policy of the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede.
“We have accorded him enough respect. We allowed him access to his lawyers and he is entitled to any choice of food from his family or trusted relations.
“But another source said the ex-governor might be taken to court for trial from detention.”
The source added: “Charges are already being preferred against the ex-governor ahead of his arraignment. His ongoing interrogation is to fill up some gaps in his response to issues isolated for him.
“A strong legal team from Abuja has arrived in Ilorin to manage his trial in the Federal High Court, Ilorin in the next few days.”
It was the third time Ahmed will be interrogated by the EFCC, following his earlier invitation on December 8, 2020 by the Ilorin Zonal office of the agency.
There was no formal statement yet on the interrogation of the former governor last night.
THE NATION
21st February, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: Abdulfatah Ahmed EFCC
