Eighteen Nigerian senators are under investigation by anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged N367.5billion fraud, a report by our source says.
Seven among the senators are on trial. Some of the cases date back to 10 years.
A senator is being investigated for alleged stamp duty infractions.
One or two senators (outside the list) are under investigation for their alleged involvement in the N19billion and $86million London-Paris Club refund in which seven governors have been implicated.
In a fact-sheet, obtained by our source, it indicates that 11 of the senators under investigation are from the North. The others are from the South.
Those facing trial include two from North-central, three from Northwest, one from Northeast and one from Southeast.
Those being investigated cut across the country’s six-geopolitical zones.
Most of the N367.5billion alleged fraud border on money laundering, misappropriation, unexecuted contracts, diversion of public funds to campaigns, and others.
In one of the cases, a senator is being probed for alleged diversion of about N108billion while he was a governor in one of the states in the South-South.
A senator allegedly embezzled about N47billion when he was a governor. Investigators believe he was aided by his wife and son.
A senator is standing trial for alleged mismanagement of N1.2billion ecological funds; another allegedly diverted to other uses N1billion meant for the repair of a collapsed dam.
The other strands of the fraud include laundering of N40billion by a senator from the North-East; diversion of N3billion to campaign by a North-West senator; 149-count charge of mismanagement of N15billion by a senator from the North-Central and the arraignment of a North-West senator for allegedly N52billion fraud.
There are N9billion case involving a senator from the South-East; N2.1billion contract fraud by a member of the Upper Chamber from the South-South; N10.2billion fraud traced to a senator from the North-West and N2billion diverted funds credited to a senator from the North-Central.
Two aides of a senator, who is being probed for alleged illegal deduction of N3.5billion from the London-Paris Club refund have been quizzed.
Three new senators from the North-Central, South-East and South-West have been under investigation for some infractions, including alleged Stamp Duty collection fraud. (Source: THE NATION)
