Possible imprisonment is still hovering on the heads of other 11 Ex-Governors on cases bordering on financial crime allegation during their tenure in offices. Immediately after the conclusion of the fraud case against Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dust the files of other former governors.
Kalu, who was Abia State governor between 1999 and 2007, was last week found guilty of N7.6 billion fraud and jailed for 12 years.
It was learnt that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has held a meeting of its prosecutors and detectives to review ongoing cases against former governors.
The meeting bordered on how to accelerate the trial of the ex-governors, especially those who have forfeited choice assets to the commission.
The session focused on removing legal bottlenecks and a termination of frivolous applications brought up to frustrate trial.
According to a document obtained by our correspondent, some of those on the list are Senator Chimaroke Nanamani (Enugu); Peter Odili (Rivers); Saminu Turaki(Jigawa); Ayo Fayose (Ekiti); Gbenga Daniel (Ogun); Ikedi Ohakim (Imo); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Martins Elechi (Ebonyi); Gabriel Suswam (Benue); Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo); and Murtala Nyako.
“We decided to hold a review session on how to fast-track the conclusion of some of these cases. We have instances where some ex-governors have forfeited choice assets but awaiting the conclusion of their cases by a court.
“Some ex-governors have either deliberately delayed trial by hiding under the guise of ill-health or some frivolous applications that will run from the High Court to the Supreme Court and slowing down of trial through adjournments.
“A few others have accused judges of unethical practices leading to the reassignment of their cases. We know those we are dealing with and their capacity
“Our main goal is to see how we can collaborate with the Judiciary within the framework of the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJA) to hasten these trials. We want to remove or limit all legal obstacles.