EFCC places ex-Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki on watch list amid investigations

Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, is reportedly under the watch of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as investigations into his tenure gain momentum.

The anti-graft agency is scrutinizing several transactions, including contracts awarded during Obaseki’s eight years in office. The former governor left office on November 12, 2024, and had earlier predicted that the EFCC would arrest him after his tenure ended.

Adding to the scrutiny, Obaseki’s successor, Monday Okpebholo, has inaugurated a 14-member State Assets Verification Committee to probe the administration’s activities. This follows the EFCC’s November 2 arrest of five Edo government officials, including Accountant General Julius Anelu, over allegations of substantial withdrawals from the state treasury within a short time frame.

Obaseki, however, has maintained his willingness to cooperate with investigations. Speaking on November 8, he declared he had nothing to hide and would submit himself to the EFCC to account for his time in office.

EFCC insiders, speaking anonymously, disclosed that while questionable transactions have been identified, no direct link to Obaseki has yet been established.

The source said, “An investigation has commenced on his administration. He can’t just be invited until the work has got to a certain stage. Some team of crack investigators have been assigned to the case and have been trying to unravel some of the transactions including contracts awarded under his administration.

“The bulk of the transactions, you can’t trace it to him. He made use of others. There have been leads which we have been following and we hope to get something substantial.”

Asked if Obaseki had been watch-listed, another source said though not limited to Obaseki, all former governors are being watchlisted by the commission.

“All former governors are always on the commission’s watch list whether the commission has something with the fellow or not. We are not going to allow them to jet out of the country and then start going after them when we need them. So that is why we always place all of them on our watch list,” the source said.

Efforts to get the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, proved abortive as calls to his line were not answered. He had yet to respond to a text message sent to him on the matter as of the time of filing this report.