The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has added former Edo State governor Godwin Obaseki to its watch list as it investigates financial transactions and contracts awarded during his administration.
Obaseki, who completed his eight-year tenure on November 12, earlier claimed that the EFCC was planning to arrest him following his exit from office.
His successor Monday Okpebholo has since formed a 14-member state assets verification committee to scrutinise his predecessor’s administration.
Earlier this month, on November 2, the EFCC arrested five officials from Obaseki’s government, including the accountant general Julius Anelu over allegations of substantial withdrawals from the state treasury.
Despite these developments, Obaseki publicly stated on November 8 that he is unperturbed by the investigation and is willing to cooperate with the anti-graft agency.
According to sources within the EFCC, investigators are reviewing transactions and contracts linked to Obaseki’s administration but have yet to establish any direct evidence implicating him.
“An investigation has commenced on his administration. He can’t just be invited until the work has got to a certain stage. Some team of crack investigators have been assigned to the case and have been trying to unravel some of the transactions including contracts awarded under his administration,” a source told PUNCH.
Another EFCC insider disclosed that Obaseki, like other former governors, is on the agency’s watch list to ensure availability for questioning and to prevent unauthorised travel abroad.
The newspaper said it was unable to reach the EFCC’s spokesman Dele Oyewale for comments.
