Two dogs were on Wednesday deployed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against a coalition of political parties and human rights activists from entering its office.
The group, led by Honourable Dino Melaye, expressed dismay that more than one month after it submitted a petition relating to allegation of corruption against Idris, the EFCC had not shown sign that it was eager to take further step of the petition.
Melaye, flanked by placard bearing youths, addressed the media on his inability to gain access to the main office of EFCC, lamenting that the anti-graft commission never deemed it necessary to invite Idris for questioning not withstanding detailed information contained in the petition he said he personally filed before the EFCC.
Melaye had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the alleged illegal acquisition of 10 luxurious properties by the immediate past governor of the state, Ibrahim Idris. He asked the commission to investigate the income and expenditures of Mr Idris between May 29, 2003 and January 27, 2012.
He said this investigation will help the EFCC to understand what he referred to be “the crude accumulation of wealth and properties by the former governor beyond his combined emoluments, salaries and allowances for the period he held sway as governor.”
The ex-lawmaker asked the EFCC to act on his petition with speed.
“The same speed with which you acted on Alao-Akala, the same speed with which you acted on governor Goje, the same speed with which you also are investigating Bayelsa. We are saying that Alhaji Ibrahim Idris said that he has pocketed the EFCC and the ICPC.
“But I know that power truly belongs to the people. That Alhaji Ibrahim Idris is not above the EFCC, he’s not above the law, he’s not above this country, Nigeria.
“So we are calling for the immediate and instantaneous re-opening of his case,” Mr Melaye said while addressing his co-protesters in front of the EFCC office.
The petition which is titled “A case of corruption against the immediate past governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris” and signed by Mr Melaye was later presented to Tony Orilade, a staff of the anti-graft agency who declined making any comment.
The EFCC had last month announced its intention to probe the tenure of Mr Idris.
The anti-graft agency had said that the former governor would be invited to explain how he got the money he used in acquiring six highbrow hotels in Abuja, as well as other choice property in Abuja, Lokoja and abroad.
The hotels allegedly owned by the former governor include, Gubabi Royal Hotel, Dreamland Suites, Summerest Hotel, Palmac Hotel, Executive Suite and Grand Ibro Hotel, formerly known as Ibro Hotel.
Other properties the agency claimed to have traced to Mr Idris include a mansion in the Lokoja GRA, a property in Area 8 Abuja, a property at Idahin, Kogi State, among others.
