The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has placed former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki on its watch list.
The development comes as the anti-graft agency commences an investigation into various transactions, including contracts awarded during Obaseki’s tenure as governor.
According to sources within the commission, Obaseki’s administration is under scrutiny, with a team of investigators working to unravel some of the transactions and contracts awarded during his time in office. Although the bulk of these transactions have not been directly linked to Obaseki, the commission is following leads and hopes to uncover substantial evidence.
A source said, “An investigation has commenced on his administration. He can’t just be invited until the work has got to a certain stage. Some team of crack investigators have been assigned to the case and have been trying to unravel some of the transactions including contracts awarded under his administration.
“The bulk of the transactions, you can’t trace it to him. He made use of others. There have been leads which we have been following and we hope to get something substantial.”
According to another source within the commission, all former governors, including Godwin Obaseki, are being watchlisted by the commission.
“All former governors are always on the commission’s watch list whether the commission has something with the fellow or not. We are not going to allow them to jet out of the country and then start going after them when we need them. So that is why we always place all of them on our watch list,” the source said.
Obaseki, who stepped down as governor on November 12 after an eight-year tenure, had previously stated that the EFCC planned to arrest him soon after leaving office. However, he expressed his willingness to cooperate with the anti-graft agency and provide an account of his tenure.
Meanwhile, Obaseki’s successor, Governor Monday Okpebholo, on Sunday established a 14-member State Assets Verification Committee to investigate Obaseki’s tenure.
