EFCC, ICPC kicks as federal government takes over corruption cases

– There is disquiet in Nigeria’s major anti-graft agencies

– This is because of the federal government’s decision to take over high profile corruption cases from them

– The anti-graft agencies are particularly worried about public perception of the decision

Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) are said to be agitated over the federal government’s decision to take over high profile corruption cases from them.

An investigation by New Telegraph also revealed that lawyers in the federal ministry of justice are are also not happy with the decision which was said to have been taken by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN).

Malami (SAN) was said to have ordered that high profile cases should be transferred to the newly established National Prosecution Coordination Committee (NPCC).

Two weeks ago, Malami (SAN) had instructed all the prosecutorial agencies – EFCC, ICPC, the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), as well as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to compile all the high profile cases they are handling with the bid of handing over same to the committee.

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A statement by the AGF had noted that “the intention is not to distract the heads of these agencies, but rather to engender smooth synergy between the committee and the agencies.”

A source in the EFCC, who spoke on the issue under the condition of anonymity, said: “Well, you know I’m not competent to speak for the agency (EFCC), but what I know is that most of my colleagues are not happy with the decision.

“Look, the enthusiasm, zeal, dedication and seriousness with which the chairman is driving the commission now, deserve applause.

“He should not be distracted; he should be allowed to do the marvelous work he has been doing.

“Do you think our operatives, who carry out painstaking investigations, and others who work assiduously to draft charges, will be happy that this is happening?”

Another source, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “The feeling is that the federal government has no confidence in the anti-corruption agencies, by its decision to set up the prosecution council. The feeling here, naturally, is that of frustration.”

When contacted, EFCC’s spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwujaren simply said: “I don’t know anything about that.”

On her part, spokesperson for the ICPC, Mrs Rasheedat Okoduwa said: “I have no reaction to this; absolutely none.”

Some of the lawyers in the federal ministry of justice, who spoke on the issue but didn’t want to be identified, said the whole arrangement is a scheme by the AGF to take care of his friends by outsourcing contract jobs to them.

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The lawyers noted that there is no legal basis upon which the mandate of the committee can be justified, adding that it negates the present administration’s promise to operate a lean government.

Already, the NPCC has taken over the forgery suit against the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and two others.

The four defendants have been arraigned before an Abuja High Court over alleged forgery of the Senate Rules and Procedures 2015.

When contacted, the media aide to the AGF, Salihu Othman Isa, stated that the first high profile case the committee will handle is that of  Saraki’s forgery suit.

He added that the decision bid to fast track the trial because high profile cases are being delayed.

Meanwhile, the federal government is set to probe Senators and House of Representative members over non executed constituency projects earmarked for them in the 2014 and 2015 budgets.

The sum of constituency projects for the two years under review is N200bn.

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