Former President Goodluck Jonathan may have gone into temporary self exile following reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may arrest him over allegations of corruption and misappropriation of billions of dollars in the five years during which he was Head of State, reports Thisday.
Jonathan, who travelled out of the country in April on overseas tour has decided to stay put in Cote d’Ivoire for now.
Jonathan’s decision to go into temporary exile follows intelligence reports that the anti-graft agency plan to arrest him once he stepped into the country.
On getting wind of the plan, Jonathan contacted a few West African leaders including the President of Cote d’Iviore, Alassane Outtara, who offered him a safe haven until the coast is clear for him to return to Nigeria.
In recent weeks, the EFCC has in addition to arresting and prosecuting several public office holders who served under the Jonathan administration, arrested some of the closest allies of the former president including his cousin, Aziobola Robert, in connection to a $40 million pipeline surveillance contract, and his former principal secretary and confidant Hassan Tukur.
News24 had last month reported that the former President may be arrested before May29 according to an EFCC source.
The source hinged the revelation on the level of investigations carried out on Jonathan-led adminÂistration by officials of the commission, noting that he may be arrested before President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration clocks its first year in office.
– News 24