Alleged N1.6bn fraud: Ex-Edo gov Igbinedion spends third night in EFCC cell

A former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, has spent three nights in the cell of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged theft of N1.6bn belonging to Edo State.

We gathered that Igbinedion, who was taken into custody on Thursday afternoon, was still being quizzed on alleged criminal diversion of the money belonging to the state while he was governor between 1999 and 2007.

A reliable source confirmed to our correspondent on Saturday that the ex-governor was still answering questions on how the N1.6bn loan was misappropriated and allegedly used in settling debts incurred by his private firm.

A Federal High Court sitting in Enugu had in 2008 convicted Igbinedion for money laundering and ordered him to return N500m and three houses to the Federal Government as part of his plea bargain.

The court sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment with the option of a N3.5 million fine.

Our correspondent learnt that Igbinedion might face another round of criminal prosecution following the avalanche of evidence said to have been gathered by the EFCC in the case.

The commission’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, could not be reached for details of the case against the ex-governor on Saturday.