Following recent developments, the former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has been directed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to appear before it for investigation over a PREMIUM TIMES report dubbed Pandora Papers.
The report revealed how many wealthy Nigerians, especially politicians, stashed monies away in places they paid little or no taxes.
The paper in a recent report, said it is the first known action by any Nigerian law enforcement agency since it started reporting influential Nigerians involved in what is described as offshore shenanigans exposed through the global Pandora Papers investigation, adding that the presidency has directed that Nigerians exposed in the reports be investigated.
It also learnt that the EFCC communicated the invitation to Mr Obi during the week and he has been asked to report at the agency’s Abuja headquarters on October 27 to face investigators.
The online newspaper in the report, also learned separately from sources that the invitation is in connection with revelations in its Pandora Papers report, which revealed how Mr Obi incorporated offshore holdings, which he did not declare to the Code of Conduct Bureau when he served as a governor and how he continued to manage his Next International UK Limited 14 months after becoming a governor.
In addition, he also continued to operate a foreign account as a governor.
The paper had reported all these actions, which had been secret until it emerged, were in contravention of Nigeria’s laws on code of conduct for public officers, although, Mr Obi has continued to claim no wrongdoing.
However, a source at the anti-graft agency said the Pandora Papers revelations only served as a lead for investigators and that “a number of issues” are now being investigated regarding Mr Obi and his offshore dealings.
What is not clear according to the paper, however, is if the EFCC’s action on Mr Obi is connected to Mr Buhari’s directive.
However, a source said the anti-graft agency’s investigations would be extended to “all persons reported with links to the Pandora Papers.”
“It is an ongoing, gradual process,” the source said, asking not to be identified, the report disclosed.
