Olusegun Lawrence The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde, on Thursday said that the Commission would not investigate the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) now over the unremitted $20 billion oil money.
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), had alleged that the NNPC was yet to remit $20 billion into the Federation Account.
Lamorde, who appeared before the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption to defend the Commission’s 2014 budget, said the EFCC will not investigate the NNPC since there is an ongoing investigation by the lawmakers.
He however assured that once the investigations are concluded at the National Assembly and there is sufficient evidence, the Commission would go ahead to prosecute any offender (s).
He reminded the committee members that those found wanting during the fuel subsidy scam are still being prosecuted after thorough investigation.
The EFCC chairman also noted that some of the documents that would be required for the investigations are the same that will also be used in the forensic audit requested by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
His words, “The issue with NNPC is that it is still being investigated by the National Assembly. As a matter of principle, once the National Assembly is looking into a matter, we will have to wait until they are done with their investigation.
“The case of the fuel subsidy payment for which we have charged people to court is still very fresh. Even the son of the immediate past Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bamanga Tukur is one of the people standing trial.
“The son of former PDP chairman Ahmadu Alli is also standing trial. These are relatives of powerful people and we have dragged them to court. So in the case of NNPC we cannot do anything until the National assembly concludes and forwards the case to us.”
“I think people are just in a hurry. Immediately there’s a shout an issue they expect EFFC to move in. We don’t do trial by the media. When we are ready to charge person to court we do so without wasting time.”
The EFCC boss who lamented poor funding told the Committee that the Commission secured 117 convictions in various courts across the country in 2013.
He also said between January and February 2014, the Commission has been able to secure 30 convictions, assuring that no fewer than 150 would have been convicted by the end of the year.
