EFCC GRILLS LAGOS SPEAKER OVER ALLEGED FINANCIAL MISDEMEANOR

 By: Omoleye

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are currently interrogating the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, over allegations of financial recklessness.

Obasa, it was learnt, arrived at the EFCC Abuja office at 10:00 am on Thursday. He arrived in company of his lawyers, who were asked to wait at the reception while he was being grilled.

It was also learnt that operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), have also extended an invitation to him for an interview.

Recently, Obasa has been under investigation by the anti-graft commission following a series of allegations bordering on misappropriation of funds from the coffers of the House, including overbloated expenses.

It was uncovered that Obasa operates over 60 bank accounts and used his office to misappropriate funds and allocate contracts to himself through third party sources, as well as other acquaintances, releasing some classified documents to back up their report.

He was also alleged to have spent N258m to print invitation cards for the inauguration of the 9th Assembly. The Speaker also allegedly approved N80m as estacode for 20 wives of some lawmakers to travel to Dubai, while his wife collects N10m monthly from the House.

Though the Speaker had consistently denied all the allegations, insisting that it was the handiwork of his detractors, the allegations have continued to resonate, while a petition was eventually sent to the EFCC by the Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CISNAC).

In July, the Commission invited some members of the House for questioning. Some personal aides to the Speaker were also guests at the EFCC office. Last Wednesday, a source revealed that Obasa was expected to appear before the EFCC on Thursday, but that there were suspicions that he might disregard the invitation.

“He has been summoned by the anti-graft agency to come and answer questions but there is insinuation that he may not honour the invite because he has sensed that the Commission may detain him,” the source said.

Morning Mail also learnt that some of the Speaker’s aides had been earlier invited for questioning by the EFCC, including one of his sons, who cooperated and gave useful information to the Commission

But one of his aides, named Kingsley, it was learnt, was detained for eight days for refusing to cooperate with the EFCC.

He later succumbed and gave them some useful intel before he was released, it was learnt.