Again, Anti-graft Group Calls on EFCC to Probe Ayade over Alleged Looting of N4bn

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Network Against Corruption and Trafficking Initiative (NACAT) yesterday called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the probe of former Governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade.

The group, had, last year, provided details of funds transferred from state government accounts to private accounts with the name of the banks and the beneficiary account holders which it said was contrary to the established financial regulations of the state government.

At a media briefing in Abuja by the Executive Director, Investigation, Tega Oghenedoro and Operations Manager, Stanley Ugagbe, the group repeated its call on the anti-graft agency to commence the investigation of the former governor over alleged looting of  N4 billion belonging to the state government.

“We are, however, concerned by the fact that, despite the plethora of facts and figures, audit reports and account statements which indict the former governor of Cross River State, as submitted to the headquarters of the EFCC, nothing tangible is seen to have happened.

“The NACAT is hereby calling on the EFCC for status report as the curious Nigerian public wish to know.

“In our submission to the EFCC, we had asked salient questions which we believe are investigation worthy: Who received a pay-off of N2,653,318,536.38 on 12-June-2015 from CRSG Recurrent Exp (FAAC) Account No. 2017445579 in First Bank?”, he queried.

“Who also received a pay-off of N1,400,381,417.48 from the same account on 8 June 2015? Who received the N200 million disbursed from account CRSG Consolidated Account No 2030459287 with First Bank Plc, on 8/16/2017? And many more questions that are yet to be answered”, it said.

NACAT noted that under Ayade, nothing worked, stressing that Calabar which was known for many years as the cleanest city in Nigeria, was taken over by filth and became a breeding ground for reptiles and all forms of algae.

“The government owned factories which Ayade established including the chicken processing factory known as Calachika, the Cala Noodles factory, the Cross River Packaging factory and the Cross River Feedmill Ltd, all located at the Ayade Industrial Park in Calabar, which gulped billions of Cross River tax payers money are now moribund,” it said.

Oghenedoro said the EFCC must respond to the petition, NACAT having been provided all the details and evidence of the financial malfeasance by Ayade.

“The EFCC owes the good people of Cross River state closure for the accountability nightmare that befell them for eight horrible years of the worst kind of leadership.

“As an NGO, we have provided the entire Cross River State account details and how monies were approved by Ben Ayade recklessly and diverted. In the course of our private and detailed investigation, we highlighted the grey areas for the EFCC to focus on.

“Indeed the EFCC investigators commended us for such a diligent work, which has made their work easier. We therefore wonder why Ayade has not been invited, investigated and prosecuted. Has he bought his way out with the billions stolen from Cross River State purse?”, he queried.

The group, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu to compel EFCC to effect the probe of Ayade without delay.

“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consolidate on his renewed thrust for fiscal probity and governance accountability by compelling the EFCC to beam its searchlight on the horrendous financial activities perpetuated by the former Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade.

“We look forward to the kind and swift response of the presidency as well as all requisite government parastatal  in order to avert unnecessary agitations that may degenerate to breakdown of law and order “, NACAT stressed.