Ibrahim Lamorde
The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Lamorde, has dispelled notions of interference in the work of the agency, asserting that the Commission works independently.
Lamorde made the claim at a reception in his office for the Director, Sub-Sahara Africa Department of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Michael Stibbe, and the ambassador of the Netherlands to Nigeria, John Groffen.
Lamorde stated that the Commission works independently and with no interference, citing the prosecution of those allegedly involved in the fuel subsidy scam as example.
“We have enjoyed tremendous political goodwill,” he said. “We charged the son of Bamanga Tukur, who until recently was the chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to court. We also charged the son of Ahmadu Ali, former chairman of PDP to court and a host of others. If you look at the fuel subsidy thing, it involves people of high net worth… we try to do our best so that whatever we do, we are able to defend it.”
Earlier, as he welcomed the envoys, the chairman thanked the Kingdom of the Netherlands for their support to the Commission in the fight against economic and financial crimes. He however solicited further collaboration with the Netherlands in the investigation of fuel subsidy cases, pointing out that most of the cases have links to the Netherlands.
Asked by Stibbe about two key areas the Commission would want support from the Netherlands, Lamorde specified strengthening the existing relationship with the Netherlands in terms of law enforcement, and the training of EFCC personnel.
Recalling some of the landmark achievements of the commission, Lamorde told his guests that the Commission recovered and paid over $200 million to a Brazilian Bank, Banco Noreste, $4.48 million to Julianah Ching of Hong Kong, in restitution.
He assured the envoys that the Commission will continue to do its best to rid the society of economic and financial crimes.
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