The Federal Government has ordered an immediate probe into an allegation that the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, illegally diverted about N1trillion, being proceeds of corruption that was recovered by the agency.
The Ministry of Justice has directed the commission to open investigation into a petition dated September 18, 2015, which was forwarded to the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mr. Abdullahi Yola, by the Chief Executive Officer of Panic Alert Security Systems, Mr. George Uboh.
The commission was specifically ordered to probe the matter and forward the outcome of its investigation to the Federal Ministry of Justice for consideration and possible follow-up action. More so, FG, through a letter with reference number, DPPA/PET/EFCC/006/2008, notified the petitioner that it has okayed investigation into the allegation against Lamorde.
The said letter which was signed by the Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. M.S. Diri, read: “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.”
Uboh had in his petition, aside demanding that Lamorde should be investigated, also urged the Justice Ministry to divest the EFCC under Lamorde of the Fiat to prosecute criminal suspects. He also sought an immediate issuance of “fiat for the prosecution of EFCC’s past and present leadership and their known and unknown co-conspirators via the 22-page preliminary criminal charges the undersigned has prepared.”
Dissatisfied with the way his petition was initially handled, Uboh, sent a reminder letter dated September 28, to the Solicitor General of the Federation wherein he threatened to drag the ministry to court should he fail to respond to his petition within seven days.
