by Adim Esohe
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema, wanted for alleged mismanagement of N74.6 billion.
The Katsina State government is said to have petitioned the anti-graft commission, alleging mismanagement of about N74 billion by the Shema administration. The funds include alleged diversion of N18.6 billion in 2012 and over N56 billion in the remaining seven years.
It was learnt that the ex-governor failed thrice to honour the EFCC’s invitation for questioning on how he spent the funds.
EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, stated that Shema was “wanted in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, inflation of contracts, abuse of office, diversion of funds and embezzlement running into billions of naira.
“The former governor ignored several invitations by the commission since December 1, 2015 when he was first summoned by the agency.
“All efforts to locate him at his known address in Katsina and Abuja were futile.”
More on the report below:
The EFCC source gave the details of the looted funds which Shema would have to account for.
The source added: “We are probing allegation that the ex-governor executed almost all the contracts in the state using his sons and one Alhaji as fronts.
“That Shema, sons and cronies diverted about N18.6 billion in 2012 and over N56 billion in seven years.
“That the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs directed every local government to return huge chunk of their allocations to private account.
“Security votes to the tune of about N30 billion were mismanaged and diverted by local governments monthly and payment made to some government officials.”
