Following the suspension of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, a Civil Society group, Egalitarian Movement of Africa, EMA, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order the arrest of former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde for allegedly diverting N1 Trillion worth of loot while heading the agency.
The group said Lamode’s arrest will pave way for further investigation into allegations levelled against him during his time as boss of the anti-corruption agency.
EMA noted that the arrest of Lamorde will further send a clear message about the seriousness of the ongoing anti-corruption war and that no one will be spared.
Speaking in Abuja at a press conference, President General of the Movement, Comrade Abiodun Usman said despite all the multi-billion naira properties that have been traced to the ex-EFCC boss, none of the anti-corruption outfits have been able to confiscate a single one from him.
Usman noted that the inability of the anti-corruption agencies to bring Lamorde to justice despite being linked to several allegations of corruption was “fillip to the Buhari anti-corruption crusade.”
The Movement consequently appealed to the President to set up an independent investigation committee to revisit the allegations since the EFCC and the Police have refused to do the right thing.
The movement which commended Buhari for suspending Lawal and NIA boss, Ayo Oke said, “What happened to the investigation into the alleged mismanagement of N1.3trillion recovered by the anti-graft agency under Ibrahim Lamorde?
“We recall a petition by George Uboh, who accused the then EFCC boss of diverting N1 trillion worth of recovered loot. Till date nothing has been heard of it.
“We commend President Buhari for his anti-corruption war. The suspension of the SGF and NIA boss, has proved to us and Nigerians that the President will not spare anyone accused of mismanaging public funds. It is with this conviction that we call on President Buhari to revisit the activities of Ibrahim Lamorde during his time as EFCC Chairman.
“Nigerians were inundated with revelations about his role in the police pension scam during the President Jonathan’s administration. Several billions and properties have been allegedly traced to his name, but up to date, nothing has been heard of the outcome of several investigations carried out by the EFCC or police.
“Could it be that both bodies are shielding one of their own? Nigerians deserve to know. It is our belief that Lamorde is being shielded by powerful forces. But we urge President Buhari to immediately constitute an independent committee to revisit the issue.
“It is a new dawn in our country. There should be no hiding place for corrupt individuals. After all, this was why Nigerians voted massively for the President.”
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