Emerging reports indicate that there is disquiet in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as well as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, over the Federal Government’s decision to take over high profile cases from them.
Sources who spoke to Post-Nigeria, revealed that the anti-graft agencies are particularly worried about the public perception of the decision, and are nursing a plan to confront President Muhammadu Buhari over the decision.
Also, Lawyers in the Federal Ministry of Justice, are grumbling with the decision of the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, to transfer high profile cases to the newly established National Prosecution Coordination Committee, NPCC.
The statements of the EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, recently confirmed the frustration of the agency over the development.
Magu, had lamented that some cabals in the Presidency, have been scheming to appropriate the functions and powers of the Commission. He described these people as “dark forces”.
The development came as the AGF and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, had two weeks ago, 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.
Such high-profile cases, which the AGF said he would determine, will now be handled by the NPCC.
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, who spoke in confidence on the issue, said: “Well, you know I’m not competent to speak for the 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, deserves applause.“He should not be distracted; he should be allowed to do the marvellous 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”.
They also noted that the provisions cited by the AGF, could not be the basis for setting up a Committee to coordinate prosecution of high profile cases.
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 an alleged forgery of the Senate Rules and Procedures 2015.
The defendants pleaded not guilty, and were consequently admitted to bail. The annual vacation of the court had made the case to be on hold for now.
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