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Tag: Ibrahim Magu

  • EFCC denies alleged witch-hunt of state govt.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday says that the fight against corruptions n in the country is not mention to witch-hunt anyone, or state government.
     The Acting Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Ibrahim Magu stated this during the 2018 anti-corruption walk  in Port Harcourt the Rivers state capital with the collaboration  of Civil Society Organisations in the state on Monday.
    Represented by the Zonal Head Port Harcourt Operation of the EFCC, Nnaghe Itam, a Police Inspector,  Magu describes the graft war as a fight for accountability and  vowed the commission’s commitment to sustaining it until corruption is stamped out of the system.
    Itam said, ” The war is ongoing to force corruption out of Nigeria. It is not a fight against any State government, it is a fight for good governance and transparency.It is a fight for accountability,it is a fight to ensure we have development,it is a fight to ensure that real dividends of democracy are delivered to the people”
    The zonal EFCC boss explained,” The fight against corruption is not selective, it has to start somewhere and where it started is where it is supposed to start”

    Read Also: EFCC receives 75 petitions in Gombe in one year

    “It is for sincerity .The fight against corruption is like a moving train whatever obstacle we meet on the way, we crush it and move on”
    He extolled the achievements of the fight stressing that the gains  are obvious to the public.
    Speaking also, the Program Officer of Social Action, Isaac Green, said the CSOs decided to take the fight against corruption to the road with EFCC because corruption hinders development.
    He said, “Our collaboration with EFCC against corruption  is strong because the commission has come to belief that this fight will rid corruption out in our society”.

  • Again, Magu seeks transfer of corruption cases from Justice Nyako’s court

    The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu has asked that corruption cases initiated by his agency be transferred from Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Spokesman of the EFCC, Tony Orilade said, in a statement on Thursday, that Magu’s request is contained in a letter he wrote to that effect, to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    Orilade was however silent on the date of the said letter.

    Read Also:EFCC recovers N794b, 407 mansions in three years, says Magu

    He attributed the information to an EFCC lawyer, Onjefu Obe, who he said, disclosed this in court on November 21 this year.

    Part of Oriladeks statement reads: “The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu has written to the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Samuel Onnoghen, requesting that all EFCC court cases being handled by Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court Abuja, be reassigned to another judge in a bid to obtain fair judgement.

    “EFCC Prosecuting Counsel, Onjefu Obe, told the court on November 21, 2018 during the trial of the quartet of Umar Audu Bida, Truth Igogori, Ifenyinwa Nwankwesiri and Ogechukwu Obaji. They are being prosecuted by the EFCC over their complicity in a $1million fraud.

    “According to Obe, the concern of the Commission to reassign all EFCC cases before Justice Nyako, borders on likely bias on part of the trial judge, considering the fact that the EFCC was also prosecuting her husband, Murtala Nyako, a former Adamawa State governor for alleged fraud.

    “The EFCC had in 2017 arraigned the defendants before Justice Nyako on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of $1million. They allegedly defrauded Donald Latella of North Park LLC of the said sum in a business deal involving the supply of about two million barrels of Bonny Light Crude Oil.

    “The offence contravenes Section 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

    “They were arraigned alongside four companies: Universal Contractors, Lambda Energy Services Limited, Double Wonder Concept Limited, and ICS Energy Services Limited.

    “They had pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges.

    “According to Obe, he had come to court fully prepared with the prosecution witnesses to proceed with the case. But very unfortunately, the case (FHC/ABJ/C12/ 266/16), was not listed in the court’s schedule for today as it is yet to be reassigned to another court.”

    “Counsel for the second defendant, Solomon Agada, also lamented that his client usually travels from Lagos to Abuja for the case. He therefore urged the court to intervene and called for the speedy reassignment of the case in order for the case to proceed.

    “Both counsels however agreed to await the reassignment of the case and thereafter mutually agree on the next possible adjournment.”

    A lawyer to the EFCC, Wahab Shittu had on July 31 this year, written similar letter, in which he requested requested that cases involving Magu and the commission be withdrawn from Justice Nyako by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and handed to any other judge of the court.

    The letter was addressed to Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Adamu Kafarati.

    The EFCC said its request was informed by the need “To avoid bias and conflict of interest, because the commission is prosecuting the spouse and step son of His Lordship (Justice Nyako), namely; Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd) and Senator Abdulazeez Nyako respectively.”

    Shittu said, in the letter, that he was acting based on a written instruction by Magu, dated July 30, 2018, demanding that the cases, numbering about 17 be reassigned.

  • BPE to partner EFCC to ensure transparency in privatization processes

    Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Alex A. Okoh has expressed the willingness of the Bureau to partner with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) to ensure transparency in all the processes of the reform and privatization programme of the Federal Government.

    Okoh who made this known during a courtesy visit to the Acting  Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu at the Commission’s Corporate office in Abuja recently, said the activities of the Bureau reflect the principles of transparency that the EFCC is known to propagate.

    He commended the EFCC for its recorded achievements over the years especially in the sanitisation of the nation’s economy which he said has increased investors confidence.

    The DG who was decorated during the visit as Anti-Corruption Ambassador by the EFCC acting Chairman, said that he was at the Commission to solicit the EFCC’s support in ensuring that the activities of the BPE are better monitored.

    His words, “The EFCC has provided a platform and atmosphere that has enhanced comfort and confidence in the investors who we directly deal with on a regular basis, the kind of comfort to engage and invest in this economy. The BPE is an agency of government that is mandated to provide sector and enterprise reforms as they relate to government and state owned enterprises”, he added.

    He informed his host that the Bureau over the years had conducted transactions in the various sectors of the Nigerian economy which have brought huge revenue to the Federal Government and improved service delivery.

    Responding, the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu expressed the Commission’s readiness to partner with the BPE in all its transactions.

    Read Also: EFCC loses bid to transfer Shekarau’s suit

    He assured his guest that the Commission was ready to carryout due diligence on any entity that shows interest in the purchase of government assets  in order to prevent corrupt elements from using the privatisation process as a means of laundering illegally acquired funds.

    “We will be willing to support you against any threat that will discourage investors from coming into the country and in order to achieve this; I think we need to establish a common desk for a seamless synergy. Once again I seize this opportunity to thank the BPE and I am happy to tell you that the baby you nurtured has now outgrown its parents as the EFCC today can boost of a befitting Head Office complex which was made possible by our determination and support from the current administration.”

    Magu thanked the BPE for its support during the evolution of the Commission saying the N100million received from the BPE as take off support helped the Commission to start its operations. “If we hadn’t gotten that money, we wouldn’t have been able to kick start”, he confessed.

    The money, he said, brought some seriousness into EFCC’s operations and “we started arresting those fraudsters who hitherto were seen as ‘untouchable’ moving around with convoys and sirens. Many of them were arrested and jailed and the Commission recovered substantial amounts of money on behalf of so many victims from them which were restituted to the victims.”

  • Nasarawa donates 50 hectares of land for EFCC training academy

    The Nasarawa State Government has donated 50 hectares of land to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to establish a training academy  within Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital .
    Speaking to the press after taking the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu  to the vast expanse of land along Kwadere road, Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura  disclosed  that the gesture  was in line with the commissions desire to establish an academy  which has long been in the pipeline, noting that the state government has secured the land and donated it or this purpose.
    Gov. Almakura disclosed that the EFCC Chairman had come to see it for  himself with a view to commence work on the project, stating that in line with his administration’s desire and commitment  to key  with the EFCC  in ensuring accountability, transparency and fighting corruption, it could not but support the EFCC with the land  and also to ensure the fast tracking of  all the approvals  for all the plans they intend to execute.

    Read Also: Three health workers abducted in Nasarawa

    The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, on his part disclosed that the commission had  been trying to secure a land for about 2 years now, stating that since he assumed office on the 11th of November 2015,  one of his top priorities was to get a permanent site  for the EFCC academy because what the commission has at Karu  was  not sufficient.
    Mr. Magu said he was happy with the gesture  of the Nasarawa government by giving the academy a befitting permanent site, assuring that very soon they would start construction.
    The EFCC Boss stated that the gesture shows the commitment of the governor to adding value to President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption.
    He called on Nigerians to join the fight against corruption  stating: “I always say that in the fight against corruption, we have to join hands together, together we can kill corruption, I appreciate what he (Almakura) has done and I want to encourage everybody  and call on all to join in the fight against corruption.”

  • EFCC secures 172 convictions in 10 months – Magu

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) recorded 172 convictions from January to date, the acting Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu, said in Gombe on Monday.

    Magu, who said this in Gombe at an event to mobilise the people to take ownership of the fight against corruption, added that “as I speak, EFCC has recorded over 172 convictions since the beginning of the year and we expect the figure to improve significantly before the end of 2018.”

    The chairman emphasised that every Nigerian should take ownership of the fight against corruption, adding that “this is the right time to act to stem the tide of corruption as the 2019 general elections
    approach.

    “As we move closer to the general elections where Nigerians will vote for the present government or a new leadership to take control of governance, it is time that we all must be vigilant.

    “We all must be careful as citizens to ensure that only people with proven records of integrity are elected into offices.”

    He, therefore, called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) religious organisations, traditional leaders to help in sensitising voters to vote right and not to compromise.

    He said “voters should not fall into the temptation of selling their votes.”

    According to him, voters must be educated to realise that their voter cards represent the ticket for their future and healthy living if they use it wisely.

    The anti-graft commission chairman was in Gombe to mobilise the people to take ownership of the fight against corruption.

  • Justice Nyako withdraws from suits against Magu

    …Commission queries her impartiality over husband, step-son’s trial

     

    Justice Binta Nyako, one of the wives of former Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, withdrew on Tuesday from cases involving the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.

    Most of the cases, 19 in all, are querying the propriety of Magu’s continued occupation of the headship of the EFCC even after his nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari was rejected twice by the Senate.

    Read Also:EFCC seeks transfer of cases from Justice Nyako

    Announcing her withdrawal on Tuesday, Justice Nyako hinged her decision on the persistent request by the EFCC that the court’s Chief Judge, Justice Adamu Kafarati transfer the cases from her court in view of the ongoing trial of her husband and step son, Abdulazeez (a serving Senator) by the commission.

    Ex-Governor Nyako and his son, Abdulazeez are being tried with some other on corruption related charges before Justice Okon Abang (another judge of the Federal High Court). The trial is ongoing at the Federal High Court Abuja, where Justice Nyako also sits.

    Earlier on Tuesday, Justice Nyako drew the attention of lawyers in the cases to some number of letters by the EFCC, to the court’s Chief Judge, demanding the re-assignment of the cases to any other judge.

    The judge said the fear expressed by the EFCC, to the effect that EFCC’s prosecution of her husband and step son would affect her decision, was unwarranted.

    Justice Nyako said the trial of her husband and his son would not affect her decision in the cases. She noted that any party, dissatisfied with her decision in the suits has the right of appealing.

    The judge noted that since justice was rooted in confidence, she was left with no option that to withdraw from the cases and return them to the Chief Judge for re-assignment.

    A plaintiff in one of the cases, Wale Balogun said the EFCC’s request for the re-assignment of the cases was without basis. He noted that the EFCC has, before now, won some cases, particularly those relating to forfeiture of assets of suspects, before the judge.

    Balogun noted that it was a ploy by the EFCC to delay the determination cases.

    Justice Nyako, after announcing her withdrawal on Tuesday, adjourned the cases indefinitely, pending their re-assignment to another judge.

    Most of the cases relate to the dispute over whether or not Magu could continue to occupy the headship of the EFCC without the confirmation of his nomination by the Senate.

    The court had, earlier in the year, upon a directive by the court’s Chief Judge, directed that all cases relating to the non-confirmation of Magu be transferred to Justice Nyako’s court for determination.

    When all the cases were all concentrated in her court by virtue of the Chief Judge’s directive, Justice Nyako, with the agreement of all lawyers in the case, elected to consolidate all the cases a render a single judgment that will bind all, because most of the issues were similar.

    Magu had, in a July 30, 2018 letter, to the lawyer handling the cases for the EFCC, Wahab Shittu, requested that he take steps towards ensuring the re-assignment of the cases.

    Magu had stressed in the letter that the transfer was necessary “to avoid bias and conflict of interest because the commission is prosecuting the spouse and step-son of His Lordship, namely Admiral Murtala Nyako (retd), and Senator Abdulazeez Nyako, respectively”.

    The letter with reference number EFCC/EC/GC/31/2133 and titled ‘Authority to apply for re-assignment of all cases involving Ibrahim M. Magu pending before the Honourable Justice Binta Nyako’, was personally signed by the Acting Chairman of EFCC.

    Part of the letter reads: “You have my instruction to make appropriate application for the re-assignment of all cases involving Mr. Ibrahim M. Magu, the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, pending before the Honourable Justice Binta Nyako.”

    Based on Magu’s letter, Shittu wrote a letter dated July 31, 2018, to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, demanding that the cases be transferred to any other judges.

    Shittu’s letter reads: “Respectfully, we have been briefed by our clients to seek a transfer of all pending consolidated involving our clients before His Lordship, Hon. Justice Binta Nyako, to another judge of the Federal High Court for reasons stated in our clients’ letter addressed to our firm dated July 30, 2018,” he stated.

    Again, Shittu wrote a reminder on October 5, 2018 addressed to the Registrar of the Federal High Court, drawing attention to his earlier letter, which was yet to be acted on.

    The October 5 letter reads: “Respectfully, we write to draw His Lordship’s attention to our letter dated 31st July, 2018, addressed to the honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court conveying our client’s request to the Chief Judge to the Federal High Court that all matter concerning the subject matter above be transferred from this honourable court for reasons contained on our clients attaches letter.

    “Respectfully we tremble in requesting that out client’s position be respected in the interest of justice in this matter.

    “Kindly draw His Lordship attention to our clients ‘ predicament as expressed in attached letter now receiving the consideration of His Lordship, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.”

    Copies of the October 5 letter were sent to lawyers to parties in the affected cases, including the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata, who represents President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

    The affected cases are: Barr Bello Bakari vs. AGF; Abubakar Sani vs.the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Jibrin Samuel Okutepa vs. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Lady Chidinma Udebani.

    Others are the Incorporated Trustees of Justice Mission International vs. AGF;  Barr Alia Jamilu vs. President, Federal Republic of Nigeria & 4 others; Emmanuel Esero vs. Ibrahim Magu;  the Registered Trustees of African Patriotic Youth Assembly vs. Ibrahim Magu & 6 others.

    There are also the cases involving Wale Balogun vs. the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 4 others; Chijioke Kanu vs. AGF and Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi vs. the Senate of Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 others.

     

  • I sacrificed my Presidential ambition for Buhari – Ribadu

    Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has said the he sacrificed his Presidential ambition to allow President Muhammadu Buhari go for a second term in office because of the good work he is doing for the country.

    Speaking in an interview with newsmen, Ribadu also threw his weight behind the President allowing the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu to continue to head the agency despite opposition from the National Assembly, saying fighting corruption is the most difficult job to do.

    Asked whether he was sacrificing his presidential ambition because of President Buhari, Ribadu who is contesting the governorship primary of the APC in Adamawa State, said “You can say part of it. Of course, that is a good reason. When you agree with a leadership, it is okay that you step aside and allow good thing to happen and I am comfortable with that.

    “That is okay. It is fine if what you have in your heart is honest service. Any chance is an opportunity for you to do what you can to help your own people, you cannot shy away from that. I have no issue with that.

    “Today, President Buhari is our President and I agree with him totally and I am comfortable with the leadership he is giving this country. If there is anything under, I can also make my own contribution, I am very much prepared to do so.”

    Speaking on the non confirmation of the appointment of the EFCC Chairman, Ribadu said “This is sad part of our country. To even get things done properly and correctly becomes almost impossible. I don’t see any reason why they will not confirm him and allow him to do the work properly. I totally agree with the federal government in allowing him to do this work.

    “Whatever you can say about Ibrahim Magu, you cannot take away the fact that he is a honest person and a very courageous person. These are some of the requirements you need in an anti corruption agency. He is doing extremely well.

    “I know him and I know how the place works. I know this difficult in doing this work for our country. I am in total agreement with the decision of the federal government to allow him to continue. It is a matter of courage because fighting corruption is the most difficult job to do.

    “It will require all the sacrifice, all the patience and everything that everybody can give for us to make an impact. We are going the right direction. It is tough one, a difficult one, but Nigerians should please go along with it and support it. If we don’t, the chances are that we will not be able to do anything in this country.”

    On whether the EFCC was right in investigating accounts of state government and state governors, he said “I told you earlier that fighting corruption is not easy. It is not likely that you will please everyone. You will have to go after people who are in control of government.

    “I won’t go to the village and go after somebody for the fun of it. It has to be people who are in charge and on control and often, they are people in opposition or against.
    “When you are fighting corruption, there are targets and the target is often people who are in charge of our own wealth and if they mismanage it, the agency has a duty to go after them. But I don’t think that you can do it outside the law.

    “There are rules and regulations that govern and determine the way you conduct yourself, as long as you follow it, as long as you are within the permission of the law, I think we must understand that it has to be done. Look across the world, the issue of fighting corruption is the same thing all over. People are saying the same thing they are saying in Nigeria.

    “We are not different from the rest of the world. Fighting corruption is the most difficult thing. It is the most difficult job you can do, especially if you are going to do it with all honesty and with good intentions. There is no way that you will not be condemned.”

    On the allegation that Corrupt persons were joining the APC for protection, he said “I don’t think that is the case, but that is the beauty of democracy. People are entitled to be where they want to be. Constitutionally, no one has the right to stop you fr9m belonging to any political party. It is the fundamental right of individuals to belong where they want to and no one has the right to.

    “You have no right to stop the, because they are entitled to. I am not saying that I totally agree with what is going on. It is not my choice that today, I am from Nigeria, from Adamawa and from Yola. I found myself here and I have no right to say that simply because I disagree with somebody from Yola, I don’t want to play a role or participate in making Adamawa a great place.

    “I have no right to exclude anybody. Nobody has the right to stop another person from belonging to any Organisation of Association. Even if you disagree, you can’t do much about it. If somebody is corrupt, let the law take its course. I don’t think that can be a reason for you to stop a person from belong to a political party.

    “I think these are things that you have to get clear. It is in our constitution that you are free to belong to a political party, you are free to contest unless the constitution says you cannot. Those issues are constitutional, and fundamental and Nigerians will just have to understand that.”

    On why he wants to be Governor, Ribadu said “I just want to serve. In Adamawa State, just like many other states in Nigeria deserve better leadership. We can do better. We are faced with challenges and difficulties and people will just have to come forward and stand up.

    “When you are faced with challenges and problems, people will have to stand up and confront it. I believe that anybody with something to offer must come forward and I believe I have something to offer. I believe that I can work honestly and change the way things are, I can run a government that is honest, just, fair and all inclusive.

    “I will address the problem of insecurity. I will certainly change the lives of our people. That is the reason why I still want to try and see if Nigerians will give us chance.”

  • EFCC recovers N106.5b, others in eight months

    Magu: Anti-graft war not selective

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered N106.5billion between January and last month, its Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu said on Wednesday.

    It also recovered $1,635,925.81 (about N591,419,898.83), £629,193.65 (about N294,717,451.63) and €25,575 (about N10,743,798.05) within the period.

    Magu, who met with editors at the commission’s Ikoyi, Lagos office, denied that the anti-graft war is targeted at the opposition members.

    He said despite “distractions and irritations by the corrupt,” the commission has secured 158 convictions this year, including two former governors who were jailed for 14 years each.

    “At this rate, I am confident that we will surpass the record of 189 convictions achieved in 2017,” Magu said.

    The commission has been accused of going after only those in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while ignoring corruption allegations against members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Read Also: Group threatens to sue EFCC over alleged coverup of case

    But, Magu insisted that EFCC is apolitical and only goes after those who break the law.

    To him, those accusing the commission of political persecution were shedding crocodile tears.

    Magu said: “It will be naïve for anyone to expect the fight against corruption to be smooth; you should expect resistance, which is expressed in various guises.

    “With the general election fast approaching, the resistance has assumed even frightening dimensions with political motives imputed to most of our activities.”

    Magu said it had become fashionable for anyone being investigated for corruption to scream political persecution, with corrupt state officials pleading immunity not ascribed to them by the Constitution.

    According to him, some governors have extended the frontiers of their constitutional immunity by claiming that anti-corruption agencies cannot investigate them.

    “Sadly, some of our friends in the media help amplify these narratives and thereby divert attention from the real issues. The times we are in call for vigilance, especially by the media as the watchdog of society.

    “As I have stated in various fora, the EFCC is apolitical and will not knock on your door if you have not violated the law,” Magu said.

    He added that the media owes Nigerians a duty no to allow the corrupt to deploy their ill-gotten riches to corner the machinery of government.

    “The media should not lend their platforms to helping the cause of the corrupt that are shedding crocodile tears.

    “We must do what is right for our country, which is ensuring that those who steal our common patrimony are brought to justice,” Magu said.

    The corruption fighter said the commission would not rest on its oars despite successes recorded under his leadership in prosecution of persons for corruption and in asset recovery.

    “We believe there is still a lot to be done, which is the reason we are actively seeking the support of all stakeholders, including the media.

    “We do not pretend to have a monopoly of knowledge on how to win the war against corruption. The anti-corruption campaign requires a concerted effort.

    “I enjoin members of the public, including the media, to be part of this effort by reporting cases of corruption to the EFCC,” Magu said.

  • Group threatens to sue EFCC over alleged coverup of case

    An anti-graft group, the Patriots of Anti-Corruption League (PAL), has threatened to sue the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) if it fails to commence prosecution against the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, in a case of alleged corruption.

    The group, in a petition addressed to the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, also threatened to sue the commission and its chairman if the minister and six others were not charged to court within 14 days of sending in the petition.

    According to the petition, signed by Kingsley Arthur, Director of Investigation and Dedekuma Orumbo, Media and Publicity, a copy of which was made available to the Nation, the commission had in 2016 investigated a case of suspicious banking transactions, involving companies that participated in petroleum subsidy fraud.

    It cited four perons; Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Dumebi Kachikwu, Bukola Olatumbo Ayinde and Ahmed Aminu; and three companies; Accelerated Building Technologies Limited, Netlink Technologies Limited and Dutchess Energy Limited as the subjects of the investigation.

    The petition alleged that the EFCC, having concluded its investigation on the matter since 2016, had foot-dragged on taking the next line of action, which ought to have been the prosecution of the persons and companies involved.

    According to the petition, failure of the commission to take steps to action on the concluded investigation would cast a shadow on the identity of the Muhammadu Bihari administration’s anti-corruption crusade, which had endeared the country and its leader to other developed world leaders.

    “In your investigation report it is clearly stated that investigations have established the private account as a “conduit and money laundering”. It is evident and incontrovertible that there lies therein enough evidence to prosecute these persons in a competent court of Law for money laundering.

    “Mr Chairman we are writing to lend our voice of disgust to the delay in bringing these culprits to account. In the fight against corruption in this present administration there should be no sacred cow. (These are the words of Mr President) and it is important all people of goodwill should encourage, support and abide by this and stand with Mr President.

    “Mr Chairman your refusal or lukewarm attitude not to arraign these persons will surely put a dent and bring disrepute to the President Mohammadu Buhari’s much touted Anti-corruption fight before Nigerians and the international community”, the petition observed.

    It, however, requested that “the persons and companies herein mentioned be arraigned in a competent court of law without further delay”.

    It also warned “in view of the foregoing we are issuing a 14 days ultimatum to the commission to show cause why these persons and companies should not be arraigned in a court of competent jurisdiction, without which we shall have no option than to drag your good self and the commission to court to show reasonable cause why a mandamus should not be served on the commission and your good self”.

  • Magu decries brazen infractions by senior lawyers

    Chairman of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, has accused some Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) of frustrating the anti-corruption war.

    According to him, the catalogue of brazen infractions by senior lawyers that borders on criminality is legion.

    He said an unnamed SAN received N1.7billoon in legal fees from a corrupt politician without qualms.

    He said the same senior advocate received N300million from a governor in the Southsouth as legal fees for an election petition case and failed to pay tax.

    He said the SAN quickly took advantage of the Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme when he realised he was under probe.

    The EFCC boss said this in a message to lawyers entitled: “Need for ethical reforms as NBA conference begins.”

    Magu said: “As lawyers converge on Abuja for the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, I wish to seize the opportunity of this momentous occasion to felicitate with all our learned friends who are undoubtedly among the most important stakeholders in our country’s fight against corruption…

    “We are very worried that on a number of occasions, some members of the NBA, have elected to side with those who do not want the good of Nigeria.

    “I believe it is part of the professional ethical code of lawyers to ask questions as to the source of their clients’ wealth…

    “It is amazing that a senior lawyer can accept professional fees of N1.7 Billion Naira from a politician without scruples! The same lawyer with a turnover ofN3, 765,414,995.24 only paid valued added tax of N7, 051,928.24.

    Read Also: EFCC has secured over 150 convictions – Magu

    “The N300million cash payment which the senior lawyer received from a South South state government in an election petition matter in 2016 was never captured in his tax submissions to the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

    “Yet when he got wind of EFCC investigation he was quick to take advantage of the VAIDS window as cover to shield himself from the Commission’s dragnet.

    “Another senior lawyer who is quick to advertise himself as the nemesis of the EFCC, has turnover of over N5.1billion with an assessed total tax liability of over a billion Naira between 2010 and 2017. Sadly, he merely declared a meager N8million as gross earnings for 2014 and 2015, and N10million for 2016.

    “I can go on and on. The catalogue of brazen infractions by senior lawyers that borders on criminality is legion. The tragedy is that these so called smart senior lawyers are supposed to be role models for the young lawyers.

    “Young lawyers who worry about their future and the future of the noble profession in Nigeria must rise today and demand the cleansing of the mercantilist tendencies of some of the learned silks.

    “Today, I called on members of the Bar to spare some moments to reflect deeply on the ethical stock of the profession. Clearly, the time has come for members of the Bar to set new benchmarks for ethical conduct by members while drawing new inspiration to whip erring members in line.

    “The NBA must strengthen its disciplinary mechanism and ensure that disciplinary measures are applied to every errant member no matter how highly placed. This will help to rid the profession of bad eggs and secure its credibility.

    “It is bad enough that our people are at the mercy of public officers who abuse our common patrimony for personal gain, it is worse to see lawyers who should rise above the rot become complicit in the mindless thievery.

    “I expect members of the bar to frown at many of the shenanigans that still go on in court, especially the tendency by some very senior members of the profession to abuse the processes of court through frivolous applications intended to frustrate trial and outright intimidation of judges.

    “Despite these shortcomings, the EFCC which I represent is still indebted to lawyers for the role they have played in our modest achievements over the past few years.

    “Without the commitment and dedication of some members of the Bar, the Commission would not have secured a total of 158 convictions so far this year and 189 last years.

    “Finally, I wish to leave members of the NBA with the wise words of our dear President His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, that ‘if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us’.

    “I once again invite you all to partner with the EFCC and the generality of Nigerians in the fight against corruption.”