By Abdulrasheed Akogun
More facts have continued to emerge as to why the former Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed is being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
It would be recalled news had filtered in the media of the invitation and grilling of the banker turned politician, without official confirmation of the status or otherwise.
Fresh Insight however exclusively reported his spending the night in the EFCC custody owing largely to his inability to meet the stringent bail conditions.
Speaking with this medium on a condition of anonymity, an highly placed source in the know, described the former Governor’s latest ordeal with the anti-graft agency as not unconnected with the management of revenue accrue to the State via Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), under the defunct Board of Internal Revenue (BIR).
The source said “He was invited for questioning with regards to management of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the State under the defunct Board of Internal Revenue (BIR), which was the tax collection agency of the government before the creation of Kwara State Internal Revenue Services (KW-IRS) by Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed in 2012.
“Investigation thus far, have shown that the management of the State’s IGR was cloudy during the then Gov. Bukola Saraki administration between 2003 – 2011, while Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed who would later succeed his boss as Governor held sway as the Commissioner for Finance.
“He arrived at our office some minutes after 10 in the morning, he was taken in for interrogation after which he wrote his statement, he wasn’t however granted administrative bail until very late last night.
Meeting the bail conditions were nearly impossible last night and thus he spent the night here until, he’s able to meet the bail conditions”, the source added.
When asked about the bail conditions, he said “The surety must own a landed property in Maitama, Abuja and must be an high ranking civil servant. Also, the sureties are expected to sign his bail bond after submitting the relevant documents at our office.
Further findings by Fresh Insight unveiled that before the advent the new tax collection agency in the State, the defunct Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) which was solely in-charge enlisted the services of so many firms via a consultancy arrangement, prominent among which, is a company alleged to belong to Dr. Bukola Saraki’s longstanding aide, Tunde Morakinyo
It is however not clear at this time if other active players in the government under investigation will also be invited for questioning.
It would be recalled Dr. Bukola Saraki had until recently been having protracted running battle with various anti-graft and anti-corruption agencies owing to his stewardship as Governor of the State between 2003 and 2011.
All attempts to nail him has thus far proved futile as he always comes out with a judicial clean bill of health.
