The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has explained the reason behind the raid of Mr. Akinwumi Ambode’s Lagos residence, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV had earlier reported that the anti-graft agency, on Tuesday, stormed the home of the immediate past governor of Lagos state, in a commando style.
Some officials of the EFCC, Lagos Office, were seen patrolling the private residence of Ambode located in Epe area of the state, in his absence.
Speaking with our correspondent, EFCC Spokesman, Mr Tony Orilade, said the move is part of an ongoing investigation into the activities of the former governor while in office.
According to Orilade, Mr Ambode is currently under probe over allegations of economic and financial crimes levelled against him.
“We don’t raid, we search. Investigation is on-going in respect of the petition we have, that is why we went there”, he said.
Apart from Ambode, the EFCC Spokesman revealed that the residence of the former governor’s Chief of Staff was also searched.
“The raid is part of an ongoing investigation into the activities of the former governor while in office,” Orilade said.
“The residence of the former governor’s chief of staff in the same Epe neighbourhood was also searched.
“Both the former governor and his chief of staff are currently under corruption probe”, the EFCC Spokesman added.
The raid is coming a few months after Ambode left office. The former governor had fallen out with his godfather, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ahead of the party’s primaries which saw Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu succeeding him.
Billions of naira were allegedly misappropriated in the four years of Mr Ambode’s reign, and detectives have been busy trying to untangle all webs around the alleged corruption.
Igbere TV recalls that about two weeks ago, multiple bank accounts holding billions and linked to Mr Ambode were frozen by the EFCC as part of the probe.
Also, the Lagos State House of Assembly had in January during the end of its tenure threatened to impeach Ambode for allegedly spending funds which were not appropriated.
The former governor is currently outside the country as at the time the EFCC stormed his residence on Tuesday.
