The new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa has intensified probe into All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Bola Tinubu.
It was gathered that part of the mandate given to Bawa, who assumed office last week, was to conduct a thorough investigation into Tinubu’s business empire given series of allegations of corrupt enrichment and tax evasion against the former Governor of Lagos state.
The EFCC had in November last year, written the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), requesting copies of Tinubu’s asset declaration form.
A copy of the letter revealed that the investigation into Tinubu began last year shortly after the removal of Ibrahim Magu as EFCC Chair.
The letter marked CR/3000/EFCC/LS/Vol4/322, dated November 6, 2020, was signed by Bawa, who was then the Lagos zonal head of the EFCC.
The letter read in part: “In view of the above, you are kindly requested to furnish the commission with the outstanding requested information of Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu.
“This request is made pursuant to Section 38(1) and (2) of the EFCC Act 2004.”
It was gathered that Magu, believed to be ‘Tinubu’s boy’s’ failed to act on series of petitions against Tinubu when he was at the helm at the EFCC.
“The letter is authentic. The EFCC is in receipt of several petitions against Tinubu including one involving alleged fraud in Alpha Beta Consulting.”
Dapo Apara, a former Managing Director of Alpha Beta Consulting, had written petitions to the EFCC, accusing the firm of tax evasion and being run by Tinubu albeit by proxy. Apara had also instituted a lawsuit against Tinubu.
In his statement of claim, Apara stated among others that Tinubu controlled the Consulting company which was receiving 10 percent of the taxes collected on behalf of the state.
Apara said as the head of the company, he began looking into its finances and he made many startling discoveries such as mysterious transfers of over N20bn to various companies.
He stated: “N550million payment to Ocean Trust Ltd vide payment instruction dated the 15/5/18 N850million payment to Ocean Trust Ltd vide payment instruction dated the 14/3/15.”