EFCC quizzes ex-Gov Nyako for six hours

For about six hours, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) grilled a former Governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako over alleged mismanagement of about N17billion while in office. The quizzing of the ex-governor came barely 48 hours after his return from a self-imposed exile.

The amount in question was said to be in relation with N2billion withdrawn in 181 transactions from Adamawa Joint State/ Local Government Account. The N2billion was withdrawn by a permanent Secretary, based on the alleged directive of the ex-governor, between 2007 and 2014.

Also, the ex-governor is expected to explain how N15billion state cash was allegedly laundered into the accounts of five companies owned by one of his children, Abdul-Aziz Nyako. The firms are Blue Opal Nigeria limited, Crust Energy Nigeria Limited, Blue Ribbon Multilinks Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited and Blue Ribbon Bureau De Change.

According to a source in the commission, Nyako arrived at the commission at about 9.50am having been earlier declared wanted by the anti-graft agency. Although a reception was scheduled for the ex-governor in Yola on Monday, he chose to honour EFCC's invitation to avoid any embarrassment at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja and International Airport in his home state.

The source said: “Nyako willingly came to the EFCC for interaction with our team. Our operatives were going after him but he beat us to the game. “For about six hours, we have been interacting with him based on some petitions we got in 2014. “The allegations border on massive looting of the treasury especially Joint State/ Local Government Account, criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, money laundering.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The issues against the ex-governor are curious withdrawals of from Joint State/ Local Government Account as follows: N2billion (August 2011 and 2012); N600m (October 2009 and February 2011); N500m (March 2008 and March 2011) among others.

“There was also suspicious transfer of N15billion belonging to the state into the accounts of five companies of one of his children, Abdul-Aziz Nyako. We had earlier arrested the son for interaction.” As at press time, it was gathered that the ex-governor denied all the allegations against him in the petitions.

Though Nyako was yet to be released at 4.02pm when our correspondent put a call to the EFCC, there were indications that he might be granted an administrative bail. The Head of Medai and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “Former Governor Nyako came to our commission and we are already interacting with him.” The Nation

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