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A former governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion, has been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC).
Premium Times reports that Igbinedion who finished his tenure as governor in 2007 is being grilled at the Abuja headquarters of the commission for allegedly diverting public funds to the tune of N1.6 billion.
A loan obtained by the Edo State Government was said to have been diverted to a company which he has an interest in.
Igbinedion was prosecuted in 2008 by the EFCC and convicted of embezzling N2.9 billion belonging to Edo State.
He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to a one count charge which was pruned from 191 charges.
The former governor,however, agreed to pay the fine of N3.5 million as an alternative to spending six months in jail.
Igbinedion also returned about N500 million and forfeitled three properties, including one in Abuja.
As of Thursday midnight, the former governor was said to still be in EFCC custody.
Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesperson, who confirmed that Igbinedion was in the custody of the agency, didn’t give further details on why the former governor was invited.