In continuation of its clampdown on former governors accused of various corrupt practices during their tenures, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday declared former governor of Gombe state, Alhaji Danjuma Goje wanted over allegations of mismanagement and diversion of over N52 billion state funds.
The former governor, now a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was said to have gone into hiding on learning that he would be quizzed alongside three other colleagues to answer allegations of corrupt practices while in office.
The commission's Head of Media and Publicity, Femi Babafemi explained that the Agency resorted to declaring Goje wanted after an endless search for him and his failure to submit himself for interrogation over the alleged fraud even when he was in receipt of a letter of invitation giving him up to 12noon yesterday to come out of his hiding place.
According to him, "Patriotic Nigerians who may have useful information on the whereabouts of the wanted person are urged to kindly send same to any of the EFCC's offices across the country or the nearest police station."
Babafemi further said that while the commission would continue its search for the accused person, it would always work within the ambit of the law in the discharge of its responsibility and expects all citizens especially those being investigated to respect and obey the laws of the land.
Operatives of the anti-corruption agency had on Thursday arrested ex Governors Gbenga Daniel, Adebayo Alao- Akala and Aliyu Akwe Doma of Ogun, Oyo and Nasarawa states respectively to answer charges of misappropriation of funds worth the combined figure of N101 billion..
Akala was arrested in connection with fraudulent handling of state funds to the tune N25 billion, his Ogun state counterpart, Daniel is answering a fraud case of N58 billion while Doma was accused supervising the stealing of N18 billion while he was governor of Nasarawa state.
Peoples Daily Weekend gathered yesterday night that the three accused former governors were still facing interrogation.
Meanwhile, youths in their numbers yesterday morning poured into the streets of Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital to celebrate the arrest and subsequent detention of Aliyu Akwe Doma.
The youths, who went round major streets of the city singing and dancing, chanted anti-Doma slogans while praising Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura for the good work he is doing for the people.
They also displayed placards conveying their opinion on some burning issues, with one of such reading: "Chief Yunana Iliya (state PDP chairman), leave Al-makura alone", in apparent reference to the seeming altercation between members of the PDP-dominated House of Assembly and Governor Al-makura.
Reacting to the arrest of the former governor, the director general of Tanko Al-makura campaign organisation, Malam Musa Ilu Mohammed described it as a welcome development, stressing that the people have already passed a verdict on Doma by voting him out.
He also commended the Federal Government for not hesitating to arrest PDP former governors over allegations of corrupt practices while in they were office.
Mohammed added that the new requirement for the EFCC to seek the AGF's permission before taking steps was thought to be a ploy by the government to shield some persons from trial, saying the new development has however, shown that government was sincere with the battle.
Peoples Daily Weekend recalls that since leaving office, the former governor has been accused of huge mismanagement, with some prominent citizens submitting a petition to the state assembly on his financial conduct as chief executive of the state.
