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Nigeria: EFCC to Review Cases Against Ex-Governors
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This Day (Lagos)
25 July 2008
Posted to the web 25 July 2008
Eugene Agha
Lagos
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Chief Farida Waziri, has set up a committee to look into money laundering cases involving former governors.
Farida disclosed this yesterday when she received members of the Coalition for Democracy and the Rule of Law who were in her Lagos office on a courtesy visit.
According to her, the committee is charged to collate all cases of allegations against former governors and make recommendations.
She said the cases to be looked into by the committee were very few as against the claims of former EFCC boss, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who alleged that the 32 ex-governors had cases to answer, adding that there would be no sacred cows by the time the committee finished its report.
She also revealed that some questionnaires would be sent out to those who are found wanting.
"As soon as I assumed office, I set up a committee to look into all cases of fraud against former governors. I tell you that the cases are very few, but one funny thing is that there were no records on such cases. One particular governor was actually charged to court while his statement was not obtained. He was never invited to the EFCC office in Lagos or Abuja to make statement," she added.
She stated further that by the time the committee finishes its work, those indicted would be made to face the music as there would not be any sacred cow.
Waziri further stated that the EFCC had been furnished with records of revenue allocations to both states and councils, and that the Commission was waiting and watching with very keen interest.
"My resolve when I came into office is to fight corruption to a standstill. I feel gladdened when I see NGOs and other well-meaning members of the public offering to assist me in the war. I have received reports of the Federal Government allocations to all the states and local government. They should use the money to affect the lives of the people.
"A lot of people have died in accidents because of the pot holes on our highways. In the villages, the average Nigerian finds it difficult to eat, no drugs in our hospitals, some still drink water from ponds, while council chairmen cruise around in jeeps. This is why we have to take the battle to the people, because I have a feeling that if the people know that it is their money that the LG bosses use to by jeeps, they will join me in the war," she said.
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She also promised to help reduce corruption to "bare minimum", conceding that crime could not be eradicated from the society completely, adding that a few people could continue to hold the entire nation to ransom.
It is more than a year now, no past corrupt governor had been sentenced to imprisonment.They are rather worshipped everywhere with their loot. EFCC should better wake up.
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