EFCC Declares Ex Governor Ibrahim Shema Wanted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the former Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema wanted.

EFCC announced this declaration  on its twitter handle on on Wednesday.The full text of the statement declaring wanted has also been posted on facebook.The statement signed by EFCC spokesman,Wilson Uwujaren said in part: “The public is hereby notified that Ibrahim Shema, a former governor of Katsina State is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, inflation of contract, abuse of office, diversion of funds and embezzlement running to billions of naira.

“The former governor ignored several invitation by  the Commission since December1,2015 when he was first summoned by the agency.All efforts to locate him at his known address in Katsina and Abuja were futile.

A  top official of the EFCC confirmed that the information on the commission’s twitter handle  was indeed the   “official” position on Shema.

It could be recalled that the Katsina  State government under Governor Bello Masari  has  set up a commission  of inquiry to probe alleged financial irregularities under Shema. The State PDP had issued statements claiming that Shema would be vindicated.

It was not immediately clear if there was any link between the ongoing probe  at  the state level and the latest declaration by the anti-graft agency. Neither was it immediately clear if the EFCC is acting based on separate petition(s) against the ex governor Shema.