Lawyers seek bail
By ALEX OTUDOR

The lawyers of the ex-governors had yesterday headed for an Abuja High Court to seek their release which as at press time had not been facilitated.

The spokesman for the Commission, Mr. Osita Nwajah said in a release that the two ex-chief executives of Abia and Jigawa states were arrested for their failure to honour an earlier invitation extended to them by the body.

The Commission’s chairman, Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu had earlier in the week promised to return its focus on the ex-governors, following public outcry that the body had become docile since the advent of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration and that those of them who were perceived to have fleeced their states would be brought to book. Ex-governor Kalu had in the last three years had a running battle with the Commission following allegations that he used his mother, wife and daughter to siphon state funds. He was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on arrival from an overseas trip.

Other former governors including James Ibori of Delta State, Peter Odili of Rivers, Lucky Igbinedion of Edo, Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of Lagos had earlier honoured the EFCC’s invitation.

There were reports of deals being made and monies returned but these have not been officially confirmed. It was speculated that the return of such monies was a kind of stay-out-of-jail card.

Most of the ex-governors are now jittery had remained quiet and away from public view since May 29. Public pressure has however grown to bring them to book.