President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the chairman of the anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Lamorde.
The former police officer was removed on Monday after heading the agency for four years. Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, told jounalists that Mr. Lamorde “was not sacked”, but that he was proceeding on terminal leave ahead of the expiration of his tenure February 2016. Mr. Adesina said more details would be provided in a statement that would be released shortly. The non-renewal of Mr. Lamorde’s second allowable term is a clear indication of the President’s in-satisfaction with his conduct as the head of the anti-graft agency
There have been different allegations of corruption against him. One George Uboh had petitioned the senate, alleging that Lamrode failed to remit more than N2.05 trillion, being funds recovered from corrupt leaders. He was also accused of diverting over N1 trillion recovered from the sale of confiscated properties belonging to convicted officials including the late Diepreye Alamieyesiegha, former governor of Bayelsa state, and Tafa Balogun, former inspector-general of police.
Mr. Adesina later issued a statement saying Mr. Buhari has approved the appointment of Ibrahim Mustafa Magu as Acting Chairman of the Commission. Mr. Magu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, was a former Head of the Economic Governance Unit of the EFCC.
