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Operatives of the Makurdi Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. Moses Thomas Sule, alongside 14 other former lawmakers, over allegations of money laundering and abuse of office.

The EFCC stated that the arrest followed petitions from concerned citizens of Plateau State, accusing the former legislators of violating the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as flouting public procurement procedures during their brief tenure.

The lawmakers arrested alongside the former Speaker include Gwottson Fom, Sani Abubakar, Jwe Philip Gwom, Thomas Dantong, Happiness Mathew Akawu, Cornelius Dotyok, Agbalak Ibrahim, Danjuma Azi, Fwangje Bala Ndat, Salome Tanimu Wanglet, Namba Rimuyat, Nimchak Rims, Ishaku Maren, and Paul Datugun.

According to the EFCC, the investigation revealed that the accused individuals spent only six months in office, during which the state government procured luxury vehicles worth approximately ₦2.5 billion for their use in official capacities.

However, upon vacating office, the lawmakers allegedly refused to return the vehicles as required, and efforts by the government to retrieve them have failed. Consequently, the state had to acquire another fleet of vehicles worth about ₦2 billion for the current legislators.

EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrests and stated that the suspects will be prosecuted.

“The former Speaker and other members will soon be charged to court,” Oyewale said.

The EFCC emphasized that the investigation forms part of its commitment to upholding transparency and accountability in governance, particularly in the handling of public assets and funds.

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