- Obaseki himself recently alleged that the EFCC intended to arrest him after he left office
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has placed former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki on its watchlist, sources within the anti-graft agency have confirmed.
Punch reports that Investigations are reportedly underway into financial transactions and contracts awarded during Obaseki’s eight-year tenure, which ended on 12 November.
Obaseki himself recently alleged that the EFCC intended to arrest him after he left office.
His successor, Monday Okpebholo, has established a 14-member State Assets Verification Committee to scrutinise Obaseki’s administration.
Anonymous EFCC insiders have indicated that while preliminary findings have identified questionable transactions, there is no direct evidence implicating the former governor. “He utilised intermediaries for most of these transactions,” one source disclosed. “We are pursuing leads and hope to uncover substantial evidence.”
When asked about Obaseki’s watchlist status, another source noted that all former governors are routinely monitored. “We don’t want them leaving the country before investigations are concluded,” the source explained.
Attempts to reach EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale for comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered at the time of reporting.