Ex-gov, minister, army general, reporters fingered in PEF car gift scandal

Lanre Adewole, Abuja - 06.07.2008

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission {EFCC} will from this week start the arrest of the beneficiaries of the Police Equipment Fund {PEF} car gifts.

A list of the beneficiaries showed that high-profile personalities were involved, including a second republic governor from the North-East, a former minister from the South-South during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s first term in office as well as a retired army General from the North, whose relative almost clinched a top security job before another retired security officer got it.

Also on the list is a prominent female politician of the Peoples Democratic Party hue from the East, first class traditional rulers across the country, two journalists, among others, who reportedly shared over 100 cars said to have been given out by the Chief Kenny Martins led Fund.

Kenny Martins, his deputy, Ibrahim Dumuje and a former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police Affairs, Dr. Yaro Gela, also a signatory to the Fund’s account, are being prosecuted by the commission over alleged corrupt handling of the Fund’s funds.