As a result of the new law signed by the Lagos governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu, Lagos state government may now take over fraud allegation cases leveled against the three former governors in the state by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC).
The new law mandates agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and other anti-graft agencies to hand over corruption cases to the state government.
According to the new legislation titled ‘Lagos State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law’ signed by Sanwo-Olu, a new anti-corruption agency will have the exclusive rights to investigate financial crimes and corruption cases involving the finances of the Lagos State Government.
Section 13(3) of the law reads, “The commission shall upon the commencement of this law take over the investigation of all anti-corruption and financial crime cases involving the finances and assets of Lagos State Government being investigated by any other agency.”
Section 13(5) also states, “The commission shall have the power to the exclusion of any other agency or body to investigate and coordinate the investigation of corruption and financial crimes cases involving the finances and assets of the state government.”
The three former governors in Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Babatunde Raji Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, are reportedly said to be under investigation by the EFCC over corruption allegation cases. The anti-graft agency is also investigating the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, who helped facilitate the passage of the new law.
