The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to investigate the allegations against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the acts of fraud and corruption levelled against the anti-graft agency in relation to the non-remittance of reconverted funds amounting to over N1 trillion into the federation account.
This resolution was passed by federal lawmakers after they unanimously adopted a motion sponsored by the Minority Leader, Rep. Leo Ogor (PDP-Delta) alleging that the EFCC in contravention of Section 31, sub-section 2 and 3 of the Act establishing the agency had repeatedly failed to remit court ordered properties and funds into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
Also, the House directed the Solicitor-General of the federation to re-assign the investigation of the petition of George Uboh against the EFCC to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) or the police.
The House further mandated the Committee on Financial Crimes, Drugs and Narcotics to investigate the sundry allegations against the EFCC and its agents, and present its findings to at plenary in four weeks.
Moving the motion, Rep. Ogor informed his fellow lawmakers that there exists a subsisting petition by one George Uboh against the present and past leaders of the EFCC over diversion of funds that the Senate is investigating.
According to him, the “past and present leadership of the EFCC are being accused of diversion of funds worth billions of naira meant to be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation as stipulated by Section 31 subsection 2 and 3 of the EFCC Act of 2004”.
The lawmaker from Delta State further stressed that “the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice has directed the EFCC to investigate the allegation against Ibrahim Lamorde and to forward the result of its investigation to him”.
He however expressed concern that “the EFCC is not the only agency of government charged with investigations that bother on diversion of funds by public officers”, adding that to thoroughly investigate the allegation of diversion of this huge sum of monies, allegedly running into trillions of naira, other members of staff of the EFCC must be investigated.
He said: “By the powers conferred on the House by Section 88(I) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the House, just like the police and the ICPC can investigate the diversion of funds by Lamorde, as well as past and present leaders of the EFCC”.
The motion was subsequently approved by the House when the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun, put the motion to a voice vote.
Our correspondent recalls that the Ministry of Justice in a directive to the EFCC signed by the Director, Public Prosecutions of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Muhammad Diri, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary dated October 8, 2015, directed the EFCC to investigate the allegations against Lamorde and forward the report of investigation to him.
The letter addressed to the petitioner with reference number, DPPA/PET/EFCC/006/2008 reads: “I refer to your letter dated the 28th September, 2015, in respect of the above mentioned subject matter.
“I am directed to inform you that your petition has been sent to the EFCC for their response to the allegation contained therein. The commission has been directed by the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary to forward the result of its investigation as soon as it is completed. Accept please, the assurances of the highest regards of the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary.”
In line with Civil Service Rules, Lamorde, must step aside during the pendency of the investigation by the Commission as he cannot preside over his own probe. Lamorde’s tenure is due to end by November 11 going by the date of his appointment as acting Chairman but sources close to him said he is not ready to leave until January when his appointment was confirmed by the Senate.
The petitioner, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Panic Alert Security Systems, a security firm, George Uboh, had sent a reminder letter dated September 28, to Yola, with a seven days ultimatum threatening legal actions against the ministry if he failed to respond to his petition.
source on Honeyland News