By Mumini AbdulKareem
There is growing anxiety from operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and concerned members of the Kwara state government over the pace of work on the ongoing probe of alleged embezzlement of local government fund, Daily Independent has reported.
Outing operatives of the commission, some of whom spoke in confidence, the report said the manner in which the EFCC was brought into the issue left so much room for speculations concerning the seriousness of the whole exercise.
“It is true that the commission was expressly invited by the governor to probe allegations bordering on diversion of local government money, but we are a bit wary of the need for another panel on the matter. The commission likes working unimpeded,” the report added.
Quoting another source in the anti-graft commission, the paper said, “The process makes it operationally difficult for us,” said one of the commission sources.
EFCC sources also averred that Ilorin has become politically volatile, especially with the state having a highly placed personality in the person of Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari, hailing from Ilorin.
“The persons of interest are not readily available to start with. Even if they are, we must also be careful because the governor has empanelled some people to look into the matter. We don’t want to be seen to be impeding the process”, it noted.
The report said both Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and Harriett Afolabi-Oshatimehin, Commissioner for Communication did not respond to calls to speak on the issue.
