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  • Lamorde, EFCC brain box exits

    Lamorde, EFCC brain box exits

    Sir: Sunday morning, l was jolted from sleep by the sad news of lbrahim Lamorde’s passing.

    The departed was with the EFCC from the beginning, and was part of the trio of Ribadu and Magu whose activities made the EFCC the dreaded organisation for the corrupt and saboteurs of the nation’s economy.

    While Nuhu Ribadu held sway as the executive chair of the EFCC, Lamorde was the quintessential Director of Operations who handled and co-ordinated the field operations of the commission. He was the tried, tested and trusted ally of Ribadu, who in turn relied  on Magu of the Economic Governance Unit for effective investigations of the earliest high profile cases of corruption in that era. The departed was the “engine box” who spoke sparingly but was polite, effective and efficient. Warm, unassuming and accessible, Lamorde worked seamlessly with Ribadu as if both were Siamese twins.

    The early structures and personnel of the EFCC were put in place by himself and a few of the earliest pioneer staff of the commission under the leadership of the irrepressible Ribadu. The agency’s image soared and the fear of EFCC was the beginning of wisdom.

    When Nuhu Ribadu was eased out in controversial circumstances, Ibrahim Lamorde never betrayed the cause. He remained the silent investigation and intelligence officer committed to the war against corruption.

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    The departed was to return to EFCC after the inspiring stint of Farida Waziri as EFCC chair. He was brought back to the agency and appointed chair by the Jonathan administration. Again, he served diligently and effectively. The Buhari administration opted for Magu and Lamorde was redeployed back to the police where he served in the intelligence units and was serially promoted first as AIG and later to the position of a Deputy Inspector General before his dignified exit from service.

    I recall my last encounter with the deceased at his private residence at Abuja on a courtesy call. He was quite receptive and warm and seemed to be enjoying his retirement peacefully.

    During the encounter, we exchanged banters. He was without airs as usual, and actually walked me to the door as l made my way out after about one hour robust conversation.

    Many who encountered him will attest to his simplicity and sonorous voice, almost feminine voice.

    Lamorde was kind and gentle. He was courteous, accessible and accommodating. He made friends with the high and mighty.

    A man of few words, the departed was more of action than words.

    Adieu, lbrahim Lamorde, former chair of EFCC and a damn brilliant police officer.

    •Wahab Shittu, SAN,Lagos.

  • EFCC mourns, rates Lamorde gallant anti-graft fighter

    EFCC mourns, rates Lamorde gallant anti-graft fighter

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC) has said that it received with shock the sudden death of one of its former chairmen,  Ibrahim Lamorde.

    The commission said Lamorde was a “focused and a gallant anti- graft fighter.”

    The EFCC, which confirmed the death of Lamorde in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the crack detective will be” sorely missed. “

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    The statement said: “Lamorde, the pioneer Director of Operations and the third substantive  chairman of the EFCC between February 15, 2012 and November 9,  2015,  served the nation actively as a focused and a gallant anti- graft fighter. 

    “He will be sorely missed both at the EFCC and the nation at large. 

    “The commission prays for the repose of his soul and comfort for his family, the EFCC and the entire nation.”

  • BREAKING: Ex-EFCC chairman Lamorde dies of kidney stone

    BREAKING: Ex-EFCC chairman Lamorde dies of kidney stone

    …how he took his wife to Egypt for medical care

    A former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde died about three hours ago of kidney stone.

    It was learnt he gave up in a hospital in Egypt during a procedure to remove the stone.

    His remains will be flown to Nigeria on Monday, May 27, for burial in line with Islamic injunctions.

    According to a top source, it was an irony of fate for the former EFCC who flew his wife to Egypt for treatment.

    The source said: “He actually took his wife to Egypt for medical attention when he decided to remove a kidney stone which had caused him some discomfort.

    “He however died in the process of the procedure to remove the stone.

    “His corpse will be brought to Nigeria on Monday for Janaza (Islamic burial). I think the Federal Government is assisting in the formalities to bring back his remains.”

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    Lamorde was born on the 20th of December 1962 in Mubi, Adamawa State.

    He attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology in 1984.

     He joined the Nigerian Police Force in 1986.

    He became the substantive chairman of the EFCC on 15 February 2012.

    He was however replaced by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari with AIG Ibrahim Magu (Rtd) on the 9th of November 2015.

  • EFCC building momentum under Olukoyede (2)

    EFCC building momentum under Olukoyede (2)

    “The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy’s not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.” … Sun Tzu…A Chinese Military General, Strategist, Philosopher and Writer;

    In the last week’s episode on my Column on 17th May 2024, (last Friday), I started a discussion titled “EFCC is Building Critical Momentum Under Olukoyede-1”, wherein I reflected on how Mr. Olukoyede has been building critical momentum on the war on the war on corruption since his assumption of office as the Chairman of the Economy. I also promised to continue with Part- 2 which I wish to continue reflecting on today.

     Dimensioning the socio-economic impacts of corrupt practices on nigeria over the last 10 years:

    As you are aware, the Federal Republic of Nigeria is currently facing multiple challenges including:

    • Debt stock of over N77 Trillion; Debt to GDP ratio of over 23%; interest rate of over 20% and rising, Economic growth rate is currently at about 3.1% but projected to contract to about 2.9% next year (according to IMF), over 133million (about 65% of the national population) of Nigerians multidimensionally poor, etc.

    •Nigeria now spends about 96% of its revenue servicing debt, with the debt-to-revenue ratio rising from 83.2 % in 2021 to 96.3 % by 2022. It is also worthy of note that out of the entire Nigeria’s 2023 budget.

    •Only 30% of total expenditure will be spent on critical capital projects. The non-debt recurrent expenditure (NDRE) of over N8 trillion is the largest expense in the budget (amounting to about 40%), i.e.,16% higher than the 2022 revised budget of N7.11 trillion. This includes an overhead cost of N4.99 trillion, which accounts for over 60% of non-debt recurrent expenditure, etc.

     I am of the strong opinion based on facts and evidence that corruption contributed significantly to the current socio-economic malaise we found ourselves in Nigeria. This is especially so given how the corrupt practices of political leaders have battered the economy and social fabrics of Nigeria to extent of the Billions of US Dollars in Debt, Billions of Naira uncompleted, abandoned, and substandard projects in various sectors including multi-dimensional insecurity, Power projects, Health, Agriculture e.g. (NISRAL), the ongoing prosecution of the erstwhile CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele opened and is still opening Pandora’s boxes or slime of corruption, Aviation, etc.

     Therefore, the effectiveness and impacts (or otherwise) of EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies will be critical success factors to the economic recovery of Nigeria or the further plunge into the abyss of backwardness.

     That is why some of us, as citizens of this Country, are solidly behind the fight against corruption in all its ramifications. Leading the charge from the front as Mr. Olukoyede is doing is the best way to face the monster of vested interest. 

    Based on the above-mentioned data and more, I expect that rather than the gloomy picture he projected, the EFCC Chair should have reeled out a “Call to Action” based on a strategy and action plan, in line with the mission statement of the EFCC, i.e. “To eradicate economic and financial crime through prevention, enforcement and coordination”; to ensure that the EFCC delivers its mandate under his leadership, in such a manner that the number of young people that are going into crime is significantly reduced while the good and patriotic youths who are in the majority, should be encouraged and supported, for a better Nigeria.

     Strategic considerations and ways forward (continuation from last week).

    From the foregoing, the judiciary has sadly become an enabler/ promoter/ partaker of corruption,  erosion of our value system, and degradation of our society, and part of the reason why the executive and legislative arms of government in Nigeria have been underperforming with no consequences.

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     EFCC’s Strategic Plan 2021 To 2025

    One of the Critical Pillars for success for the EFCC and all Anti-graft institutions is the power of their strategy in the area of prevention of such crimes. This is especially so given that the empire of corruption is powerful with a huge war chest of the monies and properties they have stolen coupled with their vast network of affiliations within and outside government and even internationally. It is therefore imperative that the EFCC lean more on the pillars and levers of prevention which is cheaper and more effective than fighting the process of investigation, arrests, prosecution, and convictions which take years and cost a lot of money, time, and personnel, without guarantee of success. Mr. Olukoyede has been very vocal about the importance of prevention and I am glad that he has been recently very engaging in advocacy and also the set-up of a unit that focuses on prevention in the recent structural reorganization he did two weeks days ago. I am optimistic that it is a step in the right direction. What remains to be seen is how effective the execution will be by the operatives and officials who are tasked with the responsibilities.

     May I refer us to the EFCC Strategic Plan 2021 to 2025, in which the following strategic objectives I believe are germane to the EFCC’s strategy:

    •Strategic Objective 1: “To increase public engagement in the fight against Economic and Financial Crimes”

    •Strategic Objectives 2: “To improve systems and processes for the prevention of Economic and Financial Crime”

    •Strategic Objective 4: “To improve Law enforcement coordination and collaboration with relevant stakeholders”

     The above-mentioned strategic objectives within the subsisting strategy plan of the EFCC align with the principle of crime prevention. This is especially given the fact that the cost of successfully prosecuting (or otherwise) is much higher than the cost of prevention.

     Importantly, the prevention of economic and financial crimes is more strategic. This is because the issue with being reactive in the fight against corruption is that the deeds have already been done. The monies have already been lost, the monies would already be in the lands of the vested interests, which they will use to fight back and defend themselves. Therefore, be prevention, the EFCC will be proactive by stopping wastages, blocking leakages, and shielding the national assets and financial capacity of Nigeria from being misappropriated. You will agree with me that this strategic plan which is very good is solid on prevention. Accordingly, I totally agree with Chairman Olukoyede’s call last week for the review of the Public Procurement Act of 2007 in particular and “rework the laws that established the Bureau of Public Procurements in order” which are actually bereft of loopholes that inadvertently give lee-ways for circumvention of the procurement act to perpetrate economic and financial crimes amongst other corrupt practices. I agree that the review of the immediate review of the Public Procurement Act will be a Critical Success Factor to achieve Strategic Objective No. 2 of the EFCC’s Strategic Plan of 2021 to 2025.

     EFCC’s Strategic Objectives 2: “To improve systems and processes for the prevention of Economic and Financial Crime”

     In my opinion, Strategic Objective 2: “To improve systems and processes for the prevention of Economic and Financial Crime” is the most important strategic objective amongst the list objectives in the strategic plan because we have seen, based on over 20 years of existence of the EFCC, that EFCC lost some of the notable cases that the EFCC should have won and secured conviction or more traction without achieving success. Those losses were largely due to issues of process. I am saying this without prejudice to the cases that were compromised due to collusion between the vested interests, their lawyers, and the judiciary. The process is critical in law enforcement. The process is critical in risk assessment. At this juncture, I dare say that the EFCC should also note that part of its mandate is risk assessment and risk management. Corruption is a type of risk and also a type of threat. So when you are doing a risk assessment and you look at corruption from a risk mitigation perspective, you will ensure that your processes, procedures, and systems are proactive to timely detect anomalies. When the crimes are committed also, your will processes are water-tight and followed strictly, in adherence with the rule of law to ensure that the “bad guys” do not escape justice. Because the vested interests take advantage of loopholes in our process of investigations and/ prosecution or administration of our criminal justice system to escape scot-free of without the kind of convictions that will deter people from committing such crimes. So compliance with rules and regulations, and ensuring you follow the processes are key to success.

     I will continue to elucidate more of my insights and perspectives on this very important topic of judicial reforms in subsequent episode(s).     

  • Yahaya Bello: Workshop stalls hearing in EFCC chair’s motion against contempt proceedings

    Yahaya Bello: Workshop stalls hearing in EFCC chair’s motion against contempt proceedings

    The scheduled hearing in the appeal filed by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede against the Kogi High Court’s order for him to show cause in an alleged contempt case, was stalled yesterday before the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

    The Court of Appeal had, on May 3, granted an ex parte motion filed by the EFCC Chairman for stay of proceedings in the alleged contempt case before the Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja and fixed hearing for yesterday.

    When parties got to the court yesterday, they were told by an official that there would be no sitting.

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    The official said: “We are holding a workshop, where our Justices are in attendance. Therefore, there is no sitting today.

    “The next adjourned date will be communicated to counsel to the parties for all cases scheduled for today.

    “We are sorry for the inconveniences this might have caused.”

    The court official was referring to the two-day workshop organised by the Court of Appeal to review the adjudication process on last year’s election litigation season.

  • Leave Bello’s children out of anti-graft fight, child rights advocates tell EFCC

    Leave Bello’s children out of anti-graft fight, child rights advocates tell EFCC

    The Child’s Rights Advocacy Network (CHILDRANE) has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to leave out the children of former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello, from the probe of N80 billion money laundering charges it has levelled against him.

    The child rights group carpeted the EFCC for “exposing Bello’s children minors to public scrutiny in the ongoing investigation.”

    The spokesperson, CHILDRANE, Emmanuel Abah, during a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, denounced the breach of privacy and other safeguards of Bello’s children via repeated references to them in EFCC’s press conferences and statements.

    Abah emphasised the need to protect children’s rights during legal processes.

    He warned that “Nigerian child, our hope of any meaningful tomorrow as a nation, were now increasingly an endangered species.

    ”The EFCC had confirmed the receipt of the refund of $760,000 paid as advance school fees by Bello for his children at the American International School, Abuja.

    The school had asked the EFCC to provide “authentic banking details” for the refund of fees paid for the children of the former governor.

    But Abah condemned the action of the school for publicly disclosing her refund of the school fees paid for the children by their family to the EFCC, especially as the action potentially violated the judgment in a case by the Bello family in which the school was a party, while summarily jeopardising the well-being of children to whom she owed a direct duty of care.

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    While acknowledging the EFCC’s mandate, Abah argued that targeting children to gain leverage over their caregivers, in this case their father, was unethical and illegal.

    He said: “The claimed EFCC’s actions can be seen as a violation of due process, the presumption of innocence, and a cause of lasting psychological trauma to the children.”

    He called on the EFCC to cease actions targeting Bello’s children, adhere to due process always, and try to provide child protection training for its operatives in law enforcement situations.

    Abah also urged the Bello family to seek counselling and legal support for their children to ameliorate lasting damage to their personalities and file complaints with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to ensure redress.

    He also called on President Bola Tinubu to order an investigation into the EFCC’s actions, condemn any tactics that endanger children, and take disciplinary measures against any EFCC personnel found to have violated children’s rights.

  • Leave Bello’s children out of anti-graft fight, child rights advocates tell EFCC 

    Leave Bello’s children out of anti-graft fight, child rights advocates tell EFCC 

    The Child’s Rights Advocacy Network (CHILDRANE) has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to leave out the children of former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello from the probe of N80 billion money laundering charges levelled against him by the commission. 

    The child rights group criticized the EFCC for “exposing Bello’s children minors to public scrutiny in the ongoing investigation.”

    The spokesperson, CHILDRANE, Emmanuel Abah, during a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, denounced the breach of privacy and other safeguards of Bello’s children via repeated references to them in EFCC’s press conferences and statements.

    Abah emphasised the need to protect children’s rights during legal processes. 

    He warned that “Nigerian child, our hope of any meaningful tomorrow as a nation, were now increasingly an endangered species.”The EFCC had confirmed the receipt of the refund of $760,000 paid as advanced school fees by Bello for his children at the American International School, Abuja.

    The school had asked the EFCC to provide “authentic banking details” for the refund of fees paid for the children of the former governor.

    But Abah condemned the action of the school for publicly disclosing her refund of the school fees paid for the children by their family to the EFCC, especially as the action potentially violated the judgment in a case by the Bello family in which the school was a party, while summarily jeopardising the well-being of children to whom she owed a direct duty of care.

    Read Also: Yahaya Bello: Court adjourns to June 13 for arraignment

    While acknowledging the EFCC’s mandate, Abah argued that targeting children to gain leverage over their caregivers, in this case their father was unethical and illegal. 

    He said: “The claimed EFCC’s actions can be seen as a violation of due process, the presumption of innocence, and a cause of lasting psychological trauma to the children.”

    He called on the EFCC to cease actions targeting Bello’s children, adhere to due process always, and try to provide child protection training for its operatives in law enforcement situations. 

    Abah also urged the Bello family to seek counseling and legal support for their children to ameliorate lasting damage to their personalities and file complaints with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to ensure redress.

    He also called on President Bola Tinubu to order an investigation into the EFCC’s actions, condemn any tactics that endanger children, and take disciplinary measures against any EFCC personnel found to have violated children’s rights.

    He appealed for urgent and comprehensive approach to safeguard children’s rights and ensure their protection from all forms of abuse and exploitation.  

    Abah emphasised that the fight against corruption must not come at the expense of children’s well-being and called for legal reforms, policy interventions, and social initiatives to protect all Nigerian children.

  • No hiding place for fraudsters, says EFCC chairman

    No hiding place for fraudsters, says EFCC chairman

    •Anti-graft body opens 97.3FM radio station

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede has said there is no more hiding place for fraudsters.

    The anti-graft boss also said the EFCC would deepen the war against corruption in the days ahead.

    He also said only the commission could tell its stories better than anyone else and correct the distortion about its operations.

    Olukoyede noted that effective communication offers “stronger weapons for breaking half-truths, lies, insinuations, and other distortions of the works of the EFCC”.

    The EFCC boss said these during the official inauguration of the commission’s radio station, 97.3FM.

    He said: “On our part, we will keep exploring ways and means of serving the public better and deepen the war against corruption, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “The EFCC Radio is another sword and arrow in our quiver. We are getting stronger for the fight and there will be no hiding place for fraudsters as EFCC will get them anywhere anytime!

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    “The journey to this epochal event commenced as far back as 2003 when the idea of establishing a radio station was first mooted under the leadership of one of my predecessors, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

    “The first proposal was done in 2007, and it took another 11 years, precisely on September 28, 2018, to secure a licence from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). But I am delighted that today the dream has fully crystallised.”

    Olukoyede gave insights into why the commission decided to establish a radio station.

    He said: “For us in the EFCC, owning a radio station is not a status symbol but an important organ of mobilisation against graft, where communication and public engagement have the same impact and depth as our operational activities.

    “Communication offers us stronger weapons for breaking half-truths, lies, insinuations, and other distortions of the works we do.

    “Indeed, with our own radio station, we are in a better position to tell our stories: factually, ungarnished, and unspun.

    “…The inauguration of this ultra-modern radio station today opens a new phase of fully-integrated, mass-based and all-inclusive fight against corrupt practices by the EFCC.

    “The station offers the commission a platform for discussions, marketplace of ideas and sounding board of knowing the pulse of the nation concerning our work.

    “It will also provide real time feedback from the public about the work of the commission.”

    Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris said the EFCC has impacted Nigerians.

    He said: “The EFCC has made impact on our national life. People know what you are doing and people now know no one is above the law. We are in support of this initiative because nobody can tell you your story better than yourself.

    “But fake news, misinformation and disinformation are what all of us need to fight.”

  • Efcc is building critical momentum under Olukoyede (1)

    Efcc is building critical momentum under Olukoyede (1)

    As a certified strategist, an apostle of the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade TRACIT (TRACIT is a global private sector initiative to mitigate the economic and social damages of illicit trade), an advocate for good governance and policy coherence in governments amongst other skill and experiences; I am able not just to appreciate the importance of a sincere and objective fight against economic and financial crimes in societies and Countries; I am also able to dimension the depth of the issues that the Economic and  Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria is facing, the trajectory so far achieved, and proffer some ways forward for an efficient, effective and impactful EFCC.

     Barely seven months after his appointment as the 5th Executive Chairman of the (EFCC) since the commencement of her operations in April 2003, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyode had hit the ground running and has so far, built critical momentum in the right direction in the fight against economic and financial crimes which is the fulcrum of the bane of our progress as a nation.

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     Momentum of high-profile cases

    Within the last 7 months, the status of ongoing high-profile graft and other corruption cases at various stages of investigation and prosecutions – with a scope and scale of cash and assets amounting to whopping Billions of US Dollars (Trillions of Naira); are indicators of the critical momentum that the EFCC has built in such a short time under the leadership of Mr. Olukoyede, especially with the seriousness and fearlessness, the EFCC is currently executing her mandates.

     Such high-profile cases include:  those of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele and his co-suspects, the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and his co-suspects, former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Senator Hadi Sirika and his co-suspects,  suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, her predecessor and other co-suspects, suspended Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Board (REA) Mr. Ahmad Salihijo, the suspended Executive Directors of the REA, and their co-suspects, etc.

    Economic and financial crimes are major crimes against humanity and sabotage to nation-building; which is part of the reason why some countries around the world legislate capital punishments as stringent as the death penalty or life imprisonment for such heinous crimes.

     Love him or hate him, The EFCC under the leadership of Mr. Olukoyede is building critical momentum for success. Are there rooms for improvement with regard to the operations of the EFCC? The answer is YES. But what we cannot take away from the current leadership of the EFCC is that they are improving and are certainly moving in the right direction and already making impacts. Therefore, Kudos to Mr. Olukoyede and his team.

    In this series of episodes, I also will advise the EFCC on some important points to note in order to sustain the momentum and make significant impacts not just in prosecutions and convictions but more importantly in curtailing and preventing economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.

     The level of pushback that is deployed anytime are attempts to stand up against vested interests or fights against corruption, tells any right-thinking person that indeed we are in trouble in Nigeria. I therefore do not envy the situation that Mr. Olukoyode has found himself in. Indeed, the task is enormous, the enemies are formidable and the risks are high.

      Accordingly, I wish to encourage Mr. Ola Olukoyode and the EFCC that the first casualty in the fight against Corruption is the truth and therefore he should expect a bigger campaign of calumny against him and the EFCC. Some of the Critical Success Factors focus on Process and tenacity of purpose which Mr. Olukoyede should imbibe not just in himself but across the EFCC as an institution because indeed, “no tree can make a forest”.

    The political will of mr. president has been a critical success factor

    Indeed, it is worthy of note and commendation, that the momentum so far achieved by the EFCC in the last 8 months is due to the unalloyed support by President Bola Tinubu, who first of all made a “round peg, in round hole” appointment of Mr. Olukoyede and Mr. Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda as Executive Chair and Secretary of the Commission respectively.

     Furthermore, from all indications, Mr. President has not been interfering with the works of the EFCC in this administration. This is based on the fact that the aforementioned high-profile cases under investigation or undergoing prosecution are all of the members of the ruling political party the All Progressives Congress (APC) who held public offices during the immediate past administration of President Buhari (who is of the APC), and also officials at the highest level of the current administration of President Tinubu. Hence, so far, President Tinubu has shown the political will to fight corruption with the way he has been allowing the anti-corruption institutions to perform their duties. Accordingly, if the dragnets of the anticorruption war go beyond APC members, the President should not be accused of witch-hunting!

      Strategic considerations and ways forward

    While I agree that we should critique the operations and performance of the EFCC, it will only be objective if we, as citizens, civil society organizations, arms of government, etc; also take note of the key strategic and operational impediments and challenges that the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies face in the discharge of their mandates, and support the removal of those impediments. Only then could we effectively support critical institutions like the EFCC to succeed for the betterment of Nigeria. Otherwise, our actions/ inactions as citizens, civil society organizations, arms, and institutions of government will amount to asking the EFCC to chase criminals with her hands bound behind her back, which in my opinion is sheer hypocrisy. Let me share some classic examples of such impediments:

     •Judicial Impediments: Plethora of Exparte Orders and conflicting judgments

    As I have elucidated in my two past episodes where I added my voice to the need for reforms in the judiciary in Nigeria. It is relevant to regurgitate this point which I made in those episodes about how the judiciary in some cases deliberately or inadvertently constitutes impediments to the effective administration of criminal justice in Nigeria. One of the classing examples of how the judiciary enables wanton corruption in Nigeria is the ugly trend of how persons and organizations lean/ hide under section 46 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, to secure injunctions/ judgments to stop investigations, especially on matters of corruption, other forms of criminality, and even terrorism; to the extent that judges grant orders to stop statutory bodies from performing their constitutional responsibilities, which leave much to be desired. This is a serious issue that is becoming an anathema to the progress of Nigeria. In most of the cases where such injunctions or judgments are given, it is very clear that the prayers of the applicants are out of place at no moment. Additionally, some of the injunctions are granted in clear violation of the constitutional provisions given those Arms or agencies of Government, for example; the National Assembly in line with Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, or the provisions of the Acts of the EFCC, ICPC, Nigeria Police, DSS, etc. In any case, it is elementary to note that anyone trying to stop an investigation into criminal allegations is actually indicating that he/ she is trying to avoid investigation and possible prosecution, and therefore, such applications should not be granted by the honorable justices. This is because innocent parties will set the records straight and clear their names when they face an investigation. Unfortunately, we are all witnesses to this ugly trend which if not stopped, will certainly legitimize corrupt practices, and all forms of criminality including terrorism and acts that could threaten our territorial integrity. These are serious issues with potentially serious consequences on our polity, and should not be entertained by any well-meaning judges or citizens of Nigeria.

     Accordingly, on the basis of legal reasoning, the judiciary should allow and support statutory institutions to perform their duties, rather than prevent valid investigation or obstruct the principles of separation of powers that they- the judiciary should protect! Legislative, regulatory investigative, and prosecutorial institutions should be allowed to undertake their mandates as enshrined in the Constitution. If some judges continue the habit of forestalling investigations under the guise of fundamental human rights, as long as the investigation (civil or criminal) does not violate any constitutional provision; then that Judge, in my opinion, is supporting the obstruction of justice.

     I will continue elucidating more of my insights and perspectives on this very important topic of judicial reforms in subsequent episode(s).

  • Two in EFCC net for counterfeiting $81,700

    Two in EFCC net for counterfeiting $81,700

    Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Abdullahi Yahaya and Ibrahim Haruna in Kaduna metropolis for their suspected involvement in currency counterfeiting.

    In a statement, the Commission’s Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale said, upon arrest, $81,700 all in fake $100 denomination, was found in their possession.

    The statement said, upon interrogation, Haruna claimed that the counterfeit dollars were delivered to him some months back for safe-keeping by one Babangida said to be at large.

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    “Yahaya claimed that he got to know that Haruna possessed fake dollars when one Kabiru, also said to be at large, connected him to Haruna for collecting the fake dollars for delivery to a buyer who was waiting at an agreed location.  

    “Other items found in their possession included a small quantity of colourless substance, suspected to be mercury, a chemical allegedly being used to aid the production of fake dollars,” it read.