Malami Always Interfered With Our Investigation

Malami Always Interfered With Our Investigation - Magu

Suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has taken a swipe at Nigeria's Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, accusing him of always interfering with the agency's investigations and working with others to strip it of its statutory powers.

Magu in a 44-page document titled “RD: Alleged Case Of Conspiracy Enrichment Abuse Of Public Office And Other Infractions” written to the Justice Ayo Salami-led Presidential panel investigating allegations of corruption against him, said that the complaints against him were fabricated and targeted at tarnishing his image and the credibility of the EFCC.

The 58-year-old, who was released on Wednesday after 10 days in detention following his arrest by a combined team of Department of State Services and policemen in Abuja on July 6 to answer questions from the panel, said that the entire saga was a well-orchestrated plot by his traducers to rubbish him for exposing corruption in high places. He said, “In several cases under investigation, recovery and management of assets, the office of the AGF has either interfered with the process or has been less cooperative and supportive.

“Also, the laidback approach of the office of the AGF in particular in cases of extradition has not been helpful.

“Rather than strengthening the institutional capacity of the commission and the provisions of section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, the commission and its enabling statutes have been subjected to numerous attacks and blackmails majorly aimed at whittling down the powers of the commission.

“The Asset Tracing, Recovery and Management Regulations 2019, made by the AGF without the intervention of the National Assembly, seeks to divest the commission of its statutory powers to trace, recover and institute non-conviction based forfeiture proceedings in court."

As part of the ongoing probe over the agency’s activities under Magu, the Presidency on Tuesday suspended 12 directors of the EFCC including those investigating Malami for alleged corruption.

Malami had on Tuesday sent a letter to Acting EFCC Chairman, Mohammed Umar, informing him of the suspension of the directors.

“These staff were never interrogated or interviewed until their suspension on Tuesday,” a source said.

Observers of events say that for the anti-corruption fight of the President Muhammadu Buhari's administration to make sense to the populace, influential figures like Malami must not be left out of scrutiny.

Comments

House of Assembly most misunderstood arm of Government – Senate president

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has said that the legislature is the most misunderstood arm of Government. Lawan stated this in his remarks sequel to a motion considered on International Day of Parliamentarism, sponsored by Senator Ifeanyi Ubah (YPP – Anambra South). According to the Senate President, the development poses a challenge which requires Parliamentarians to educate and enlighten citizens on the functions and roles of the parliament. He added that the National Assembly in its bid to ensure the prudent application of public funds, will continue to oversight the Executive arm of Government, as well as provide legislative interventions to foster good governance where necessary. “Here in Nigeria, like indeed anywhere else, democracy is largely defined by the presence of parliament, and parliamentarians are expected to undertake those three fundamental pillars of their mandate, that is representation, oversight and ensuring that we always legislate on good govern...

Suspected Thugs Invade Edo Assembly, Remove Roofs and Mace

The lawmaker stepped the wrong toe after declaring his support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. As the development aggravates amid political tension preluding the governorship election in the southsouth state, some men were caught on camera taking down the roofs of the assembly and breaking the mace figure on it. Loyalists to Godwin Obaseki and APC lawmakers working against the reelection of the governor are currently are said to be clashing inside the complex. Governor Obaseki had earlier threatened to unleash violence in full force should the ruling party APC take to the rampage path. The governor made this vow while addressing pressmen as the gubernatorial election in the south-south state draws closer. Edo election has been scheduled for September with both APC and PDP highlighting the guber race in a fierce feud that has put both parties at public loggerhead. Kog...

Kwara State Chief Of Staff Dies Of Covid-19

Adisa Logun, chief of staff to Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, governor of Kwara state, has died of COVID-19 complications. Rafiu Ajakaye, chief press secretary to the governor, broke the news on Tuesday night. He said Logun died hours after the result of his coronavirus test was released. “With total submission to the will of the Almighty Allah, we wish to announce the passing of the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kwara State Aminu Adisa Logun (mni),” Ajakaye said in a statement. “Logun, an industrialist, a public intellectual, and an elder statesman, died Tuesday evening of complications from COVID-19. He died only a few hours after the test of his result returned positive. “The entire government and the people of Kwara State have lost an outstanding public servant who diligently served the state at various times, including as Chief of Staff to the Governor from June 7, 2019 until he returned to his Lord. “The Governor has declared a seven-day mourning in honour of the late Chief of Staff...

Hushpuppi, others defrauded 1.9 million victims – Dubai Police

The Dubai police on Thursday revealed a footage showing the details of how the arrest of Nigerian Dubai-based and Instagram celebrity, Raymond Igbalodely, popularly known as Hushpuppi, was effected. Reported that Dubai Interpol and the FBI apprehended the Instagram celebrity in his residence in the United Arab Emirates. The video confirmed the arrest of Hushpuppi following an extensive operation named “Fox Hunt 2”, which revealed a hidden online fraud network committing crimes outside the UAE, including money-laundering, cyber fraud, hacking, criminal impersonation, banking fraud and Identity theft .@DubaiPoliceHQ Commander-in-Chief Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri: The arrest of 'Hushpuppi','Woodberry' & 10 gang members involved in money laundry & cyber fraud activities, is another achievement added to the proud record of Dubai police in ensuring the emirate's security and safety — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 25, 2020 Following their arrest, investig...

Southwestblog

Search This Blog