This followed their removal from power by a Supreme Court ruling last Friday.

Less than 48 hours after five Nigerian governors were ordered to vacate their seats by the Supreme Court, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has launched investigations into corruption claims against them, Sunday Punch reported. According to the report, EFCC’s Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, has instructed its operatives to invite the ex-governors of Kogi, Adamawa, Sokoto, Cross River and Bayelsa States for interrogation.

The five former governors, Ibrahim Idris of Kogi, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa, Liyel Imoke of Cross River and Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto, had enjoyed immunity from prosecution while in power until the Supreme Court ruling on Friday January 27 that ordered their immediate removal. The apex court said they had overstayed their mandates that were all due to expire in May 2011, though had been prolonged at the time after by-elections arising from electoral disputes.

Meanwhile, the Boko Haram Islamic sect on Saturday January 28 threatened to unleash deadly attacks on the northern city of Sokoto to protest a clampdown on its members in the city. A local paper reported that the threat came on the same day soldiers in Maiduguri, Borno State announced they had killed 11 suspected members of the group in shootout at a check point.

Abul-Qaga, a spokesman of Boko Haram on Saturday rejected President Goodluck Jonathan’s offer of dialogue with the sect, saying it could not be possible while its members were still being “trailed and killed,” Thisday said. In the Southeast, the police on Friday said they had arrested no less than 25 suspected Boko Haram members in Nsukka, near Enugu. Objects found in their mini bus with Zamfara State Government inscription included weapons, chemicals, electric cables and unexpended ammunition.

In a related development, the sect has confirmed that it has been receiving funding and training from Al-Qaeda, the Sunday Tribune newspaper reported. In an exclusive interview with the Guardian of London on Saturday January 28, Abu-Qaqa said the group’s leaders met with Al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia last August. He also disclosed that recruits from neighbouring countries had joined the group.