The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Moses Sule, a former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, along with 14 other ex-legislators, amid an investigation into alleged money laundering and misuse of government property.
In a statement released on Wednesday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale disclosed that the arrests were carried out on Tuesday by the agency’s Makurdi Zonal Office. The move follows a series of complaints filed by residents of Plateau State concerned about alleged financial misconduct during the lawmakers’ short-lived tenure.
The suspects, who only served for six months, are accused of improperly acquiring official vehicles valued at ₦2.5 billion, which were meant to be returned to the state upon leaving office. According to EFCC findings, all efforts by the state government to recover the vehicles have been unsuccessful.
Those arrested include prominent former lawmakers: Gwottson Fom, Sani Abubakar, Jwe Gwom, Timothy Dantong, Happiness Akawu, Cornelius Doeyok, Agbalak Ibrahim, Danjuma Azi, Fwangje Ndat, Salome Waklek, Namba Rimuyat, Nimchak Rims, Ishaku Maren, and Paul Datugun.
“The state had to spend an additional ₦2 billion to purchase new vehicles for the current House members,” Oyewale said.
The EFCC added that the allegations involve breaches of the Money Laundering Act and procurement procedures. The commission has pledged to charge the suspects in court once its investigation is concluded.
