The Editor Nigeria reports that former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, has been taken into custody and is currently being questioned by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged theft of N1.6 billion belonging to the state.
This online plartform gathered that Igbinedion, who had earlier been convicted for money laundering after leaving office, is being investigated over alleged criminal diversion of the fund which he was said to have used in setting debts incurred by a firm in which he has interest.
A source said the former governor was still being quizzed at the EFCC headquarters, Jabi, Abuja, as of the time of filing this report.
Shedding more light on the fresh probe, the official said, “The new investigation is based on fresh evidence that the former governor diverted a loan obtained by the Edo State Government to finance an investment during his tenure to settle the financial indebtedness of a company in which he has interest.”
The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the invitation of the former governor but declined to provide further details on the probe.
A Federal High Court sitting in Enugu had in 2008 convicted Igbinedion for money laundering and ordered him to return N500 million and three houses to the Federal Government as part of his plea bargain.
The court sentenced him to six months in prison with the option of a N3.5 million fine, a judgment that was criticised by Nigerians who described it as a slap on the wrist.
