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Tag: Victor Uwajeh

  • Why I was sacked as special investigator – Uwajeh

    The sacked Special Investigator to the Special Presidential Investigation Panel on Recovery of Public Property, Victor Uwajeh, said on Tuesday he lost his job for refusing to investigate some serving senators including Senate president, Bukola Saraki and some People Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts.

    Uwajeh also said he refused to be used by the Federal Government to hunt down perceived enemies of the government and investigate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, ex- Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, former First Lady, Patience Jonathan and ex-Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani- Kayode, among others.

    In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, the ex- Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) consultant said  he was sacked for refusing to act on a document which comprised names of perceived enemies of the administration and sent to him by the panel.

    The statement said: “It was the procedure of the panel to courier documents to me from Nigeria for dispatch to various agencies in the United Kingdom and worldwide. Soon after I realised that the panel has a mindset towards certain individuals and groups by the documents it sent to me.

    “Documents sent to me from Abuja to dispatch to the Serious Fraud Office and Home Office, Metropolitan Police, FBI and EUROPOL had the names of the following senators – Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Albert Bassey Akpan and Senator Stella Adaese Oduah.”

    Uwajeh said he had suggested some names of All Progressive Congress (APC) members “who are high looters” for proper investigation but was turned down, adding ” this raised a red flag and as a professional I made my complaint immediately and made my position known to Okoi Obono Obla to transmit to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

    “I told him that I will not be a party to one- sided investigation to muscle in the opposition and persecute them. I made my position known that I am ready to expose corruption and recover stolen assets as a professional but will not be involved in the politics of “PULL THEM DOWN” in Nigeria.

    “My refusal to dance to the tune of the government and SIPP led to my disengagement. After meeting in London on 18th April, 2018 with some officials during the CHOGM, it was evident that I will not bulge in my position not to go against the ethics of my profession by investigating only the opposition,” Uwajeh added.

     

  • Presidential panel sacks Uwajeh as special investigator

    The Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIPRPP) led by Okoi Obono-Obla, has sacked Victor Uwajeh as the panel’s special investigator.

    Uwajeh, a Chief Investigator of the United Kingdom-based Global Private Investigators, was engaged by the panel in March to help “track and recover stolen funds stacked in the UK by past and present public officers in Nigeria.”

    The panel announced Uwajeh’s disengagement through a letter sent to him via e-mail on April Friday.

    The letter with reference number SPIP/LR/2018/Vol. 1/29 and dated April 23, 2018 stated that the presidential panel decided to sack him due to his alleged non-disclosure of a criminal charge pending against him before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    The panel’s Chairman, Obono-Obla, who signed the letter, said it was jolted “beyond doubt” by Uwajeh’s alleged non-disclosure of the criminal case.

    The letter titled: “Letter of disengagement’ read, “Please refer to our letter of engagement Ref SPlP/LP/2018/28 dated March 22, 2018.

    “We wish to state that:

    “In view of the non-disclosure of the pending criminal allegation against you in Nigeria prior to your engagement as a ‘Special Investigator’ to the panel; it is the decision of the panel to revoke its engagement with you as earlier communicated vides our letter under reference.

    “This has jolted the panel beyond doubt and triggered needless controversy.

    “In the light of the above, I hereby withdraw your appointment forthwith as a Special Investigator to assist the panel track and recover stolen funds stacked in the United Kingdom by past and present public officers in Nigeria.

    “You are hereby advised to comply.”

    The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation had instituted four- count charge of forgery, documents falsification, fraud and procuring forged documents against him.

    The court has since granted the request made by the ‎Federal government to serve criminal summons on Uwajeh through substituted means.

     

  • Corruption fight: Private investigator seeks cooperation of NASS, Judiciary

    The Special Investigator to the Special Presidential Panel for the Recovery of Public Property,  recently appointed by the federal government to help trace and recover looted funds, Victor Uwajeh, has said that the war on corruption case won by the collaboration of all Nigerians, including the National Assembly and the Judiciary.

    Uwajeh, a London based Nigeria private investigator who was reacting to his appointment assured the government and Nigerians that all the looted funds and property, no matter where they are hidden will be recovered to better the country.

    He sought the cooperation of the National Assembly and the judiciary for the success of anti-corruption fight and to ensure that all looted funds and undeclared property are recovered and return to the government.

    While appreciating the government for giving him the opportunity to serve his fatherland, Uwajeh said “President Buhari relentless efforts have yielded great success in curbing corruption and impunity in Nigeria. It is no longer business as usual. The government has made looting unattractive and the indication is that the rate of acquisition of foreign assets has dropped drastically.

    “I wish to state that we will recover all foreign properties and funds of Politically Exposed Persons, their allies and cronies no matter the jurisdiction. We will trace and return all tax payers funds and ill-gotten properties stolen from the commonwealth of Nigeria.

    “The war on corruption is a collective one. We seek the cooperation of the judiciary and the national assembly in this arduous task. The war against corruption is a tough one, but we are tested professionals that are immune to blackmail and intimidation.”

    While giving assurance of taking the job seriously, Uwajeh commended Barrister Okoi Obono Obla, “for his focus, drive and zeal to recover stolen assets.”

    Read Also: Fed Govt appoints investigator to trace loot

  • Looted funds: Victor Uwajeh’s panel will tame corruption says Group

    The Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN) has said the choice of Victor Uwajeh on the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property by the Federal Government will assist in taming corruption.

    The Panel is being chaired by the Special Assistant to the President on Prosecutions, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla

    The group in a statement made available to journalists expressed optimism that the choice of Uwajeh to trace and recover undeclared assets as well as funds looted from government coffers goes to show that President Muhammadu Buhari, is indeed resolute in his resolve to kill corruption before corruption kills Nigeria.

    The statement which was signed by its President Barrister Edward Omaga stated,  ” the record we have of Uwajeh depicts him as one of the finest Private Investigator around, having been trained at the Redding University, United Kingdom.

    “He was awarded the Degree of Associate of Science in Criminal Investigations and Economic Crimes in the year 2007 before being inducted to practice as Private Investigator/Consultant by the Institute of Private Investigation, United Kingdom.

    In the past, Uwajeh had brought his wealth of experience to bear in Nigeria when he was engaged by successive administrations to unravel numerous economic crimes involving high profile personalities and agencies.

    “We understand that corrupt individuals both in public and private sectors of the economy will do everything possible to distract the Special Assistant to the President on Prosecutions, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla from maintaining focus and ridding our dear country of rot, corruption, misappropriation and waste.

    “After all, it is no longer strange that when you fight corruption, corruption surely fights back. President Buhari must beware of some disgruntled politicians who are trying use the media to paint l Uwajeh in bad light within this period just to settle personal scores.

    “At GICN, we are willing to continually support the government in the fight against corruption, terrorism and economic sabotage. We therefore call on other sister Civil Society Organizations, people of good conscience and the international community to join hands with Mr. President as he strives to make Nigeria great again” the group stated.

    It could be recalled that the Federal government had appointed a London based Nigerian private investigator,  Uwajeh to help the government trace and recover undeclared assets and proceeds of fraud as part of the ongoing fight against corruption in the country.

    Uwajeh has worked as a consultant to the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Finacial Crimes, Private investigator to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), consultant to the EFCC, Special Assistant to Chairman Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption, among others.

    The letter dated 22nd March, 2018 said Uwajeh’s application has been considered for engagement as special investigator to his panel.

  • FG appoints consultant to trace, recover looted funds

    The Federal government has appointed a London based Nigerian private investigator, Victor Uwajeh to help the government trace and recover undeclared assets and proceeds of fraud as part of the ongoing fight against corruption in the country.

    The appointment of Uwajeh is obtained in a letter signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution matters, Okoi Obono-Obla.

    Uwajeh has worked as a consultant to the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Finacial Crimes, Private investigator to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), consultant to the EFCC, Special Assistant to Chairman Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption, among others.

    The letter dated 22nd March, 2018 said Uwajeh’s application has been considered for engagement as special investigator to his panel.

    The letter of engagement reads: “Reference is being made to your letter dated 15th March 2018, “I am pleased to inform you that you application has been considered for engagement as a special investigator to the panel.

    “Consequent upon this appointment, you are to trace and where necessary recover undeclared assets and proceeds of fraud for the Federal Government of Nigeria in line with the mandate of the panel. This appointment is subject to terms and conditions as may be expressed in a duly executed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).”

    Read Also: Looters did not cover tracks well, says President