A former Nigerian state governor used 36 billion naira of his state’s funds to pay for the oil blocks allocated to him by the federal government, the anti-graft Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said (117 naira=US$1). EFCC made the revelation Thursday at the resumed trial of former Gov. Saminu Turaki of the northern state of Jigawa, at the federal high court in the capital city of Abuja. Turaki is among several immediate past state governors charged with corruption by the EFCC. He was arraigned by the commission last October on a 32-count charge of conspiracy, money laundering, theft, corrupt enrichment and looting of the treasury while he was governor. The former governor, who is now a Senator, pleaded not guilty to the charges and he is free on bail. Panapress.
