Ex-Ebonyi Governor Questioned By EFCC Over Corruption

Martin Elechi

The former governor of Ebonyi State, Martin Elechi has been questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over alleged fraud.

Mr. Elechi presented himself to the commission in Abuja at 10 a.m. on Tuesday in response to the invitation by the EFCC two weeks ago.

One source deep in the commission told newsmen: “while Mr. Elechi could not honour the EFCC’s invitation, his lawyer wrote informing the anti-graft agency that his client was not available at the time he was expected but would appear today for questioning”.

The EFCC had earlier this year on January 29th questioned the Elechi’s son, Mr Elechi Nnanna Elechi, over allegations of fraud.

The younger Elechi is said to be the head of the family’s company which is rumoured to have been used to profit from state and local governments contracts that are still to be executed.

Mr. Elechi had left office on May 29 after his second term and could not be prosecuted then due to having constitutional immunity.

The EFCC has also questioned and investigated the permanent secretary of the state Ministry of Works, Cornelius Onwe ,Accountant General, Edwin Igbele; Commissioner for Finance, Timothy Ogbonnaya Odaa; and Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy Matters, Cele Nwali.

These individuals have all been accused of fraud regarding an Asphalt Project earmarked for the 13 local government of the state by the Elechi’s administration for which money running into millions of naira was deducted at source, from local government accounts.

Martin Elechi is the Former Governor of Ebonyi State in southeast Nigeria. He ran in the April general elections on the People’s Democratic Party ticket and assumed the position on May 29, 2007.