GEJ goes into exile in Côte d’Ivoire to avoid arrest

There are strong indications that GEJ may
have gone into temporary self exile in Cote
d’Ivoire, following reports that the EFCC may
arrest him on his arrival in Nigeria from his
overseas tour, on allegations of corruption
and misappropriation of billions of dollars
during his tenure, THISDAY reports.
According to them, several sources close to
GEJ said that he sought refuge in Cote d’Ivoire
last week and also blamed the heightened
attacks on oil and gas installations by
militants, on why Pres. Buhari reneged on his
promise that GEJ had nothing to fear from
him after he handed over on May 29, 2015.
Since GEJ's handing over, EFCC, has arrested
several of his associates, on allegations of
money laundering, diversion of public funds
and contract scams, mostly linked to defence
sector contracts and the purchase of arms
used for the prosecution of the war against
Boko Haram in the North-east.
A source, who spoke to THISDAY on
Jonathan’s decision to to seek exile in Côte
d’Ivoire, said he was reliably warned, by
security sources, of the plan to arrest him
once he stepped into the country. Jonathan
departed Nigeria for the U.S almost two
months ago. .
.
After departing the US, he travelled to
London to be with his children for a few
days, preparatory to his return to Nigeria.
But while in the UK, he was warned by
sympathetic officials in different arms of
government, of the government’s decision to
arrest him once he returned to Nigeria.
On getting wind of the plan, Jonathan,
THISDAY gathered, 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.
Sources close to the president said since the
information of the government’s resolve to
arrest GEJ swept through the Niger Delta, Ijaw
militants have gone berserk and stepped up
their attacks on oil and gas installations in
the region. They are said to be hell-bent on
shutting down oil output completely