By Abu ‘Adnan
LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria’s anti-graft agency on Tuesday raided the home of a former state governor amid a corruption probe, according to state officials and an aide.
Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed the home of former Lagos Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday to ransack the property, initially facing resistance from loyalists of the former governor.
His tenure in office at the head of Nigeria’s richest state came under scrutiny, especially after he fell out with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and lost the party’s ticket to return as governor in the recent 2019 general elections.
EFCC Spokesman Tony Orilade told Anadolu Agency that the former governor faces a corruption probe.
"The EFCC is investigating some petitions involving [Ambode] and some officials of his administration," he said.
Habib Aruna, a media aide to the former governor, confirmed the raid on his house.
"This morning, operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission visited the Epe Country home and Parkview Ikoyi residence of Mr. Ambode, former Governor of Lagos State, with warrants to conduct a search. These searches were carried out extensively and at the end of the exercise the operatives left without any incident, Aruna said in a statement.
"The former governor reiterates that the EFCC has till date not had any direct communication with him on any subject matter whatsoever and if or when it occurs he is ready and willing to respond.
"The former governor wishes to assure his supporters and the generality of Lagosians to continue to remain calm and law-abiding as there is no cause for alarm," he added.