The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Moses Sule, along with 14 ex-lawmakers over an alleged N2.5 billion fraud.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrests in a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said the suspects were picked up by operatives from the commission’s Makurdi Zonal Directorate on Tuesday, following petitions from residents of the state.
According to the EFCC, the former lawmakers are being investigated for alleged violations of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and for procurement-related offenses.
The arrested former legislators include Gwottson Fom, Sani Abubakar, Jwe Gwom, Timothy Dantong, Happiness Akawu, Cornelius Doeyok, Agbalak Ibrahim, Danjuma Azi, Fwangje Ndat, Salome Waklek, Namba Rimuyat, Nimchak Rims, Ishaku Maren, and Paul Datugun.
Oyewale disclosed that the lawmakers served for just six months, during which the state government purchased luxury vehicles for them, reportedly worth N2.5 billion.
The vehicles were meant to be returned after their tenure, but the lawmakers allegedly refused to return them.
He added that the state government had to spend an additional N2 billion to provide new vehicles for the incoming members of the House.
The EFCC stated that the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.