Former Kogi State Governor Placed on Watchlist, Declared Wanted for Alleged Financial Crimes

The Federal Government has taken decisive action against the immediate-past Governor of Kogi State, placing him on its watchlist and alerting security agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), to apprehend him at any entry and exit points.

Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Kemi Nanna Nandap, revealed this in a memo addressed to various security stakeholders, including the Director General of the Department of State Services, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency.

The memo, signed by ACI DS Umar, provided the ex-governor’s international passport details and indicated that he had been placed on a watchlist due to ongoing legal proceedings against him for Conspiracy, Breach of Trust, and Money Laundering at the Federal High Court Abuja.

Furthermore, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared the former governor wanted for economic and financial crimes amounting to N80.2 billion. The EFCC urged anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to report to the commission or the nearest police station.

Earlier reports revealed that EFCC officials attempted to apprehend the ex-governor at his residence in Abuja, but Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo intervened, whisking him away from the scene with his security operatives.

The coordinated efforts by government agencies highlight the seriousness of the allegations against the former governor and underscore the commitment to combat corruption and financial misconduct in Nigeria.