Chief Anenih had days back informed an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) interrogation team that the sum of N250 million he collected from the office of the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, a retired Colonel, was shared to some senior Nigerian citizens, including Alhaji Yakasai, who got N63 million.
But the veteran politician had to quickly react in series of interviews with journalists that the amount Chief Anenih gave him as fund for advocacy visit to top northern traditional leaders for the purpose of mobilizing citizens towards a hitch free and peaceful 2015 election, was N53 million and not N63 million as the former PDP chieftain said in his confessional statement to the EFCC.
The Octogenarian elder statesman said he would not join the band wagon of Nigerians rushing to make refunds of their share of the so-called arms deal fund because he has not committed any crime, as far as he was concerned; insisting that the money he got did not go into his personal pocket.
“I think the question of whether I will refund the money does not arise here; it is like jumping the gun. At the first instance, no body gave me money on my personal capacity…”.
He said he was handed the money with a specific assignment, which was to mobilise northern Nigerian chiefs and monarchs on the need for supporting peaceful conduct of the 2015 general elections. He said his team, which consisted nine notable Nigerian elders had carried out advocacy visits to many monarchs in the north, and had completed their “national assignment” as directed.
He said any form of invitation from the EFCC would not worry him.
“I have committed no crime…and like I said earlier, I am ready, at any given time, to respond to invitation by the EFCC, because I am ready to clear my name”., he said.
President Muhammadu Buhari had last week, precisely on the 30th of December, 2015 said during his maiden Presidential Media Chat that all those culpable evidence has proven they that shared from the diverted arms deal fund would be made to make refunds, then prosecuted and jailed if found guilty.
The acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has said that more influential persons will be arrested soon.
Mr. Magu made this assertion in Abuja yesterday at a meeting with online media practitioners and broadcast media managers.
According to him, “More influential Nigerians are on the radar of the EFCC and, in the coming weeks, they would have their days in court and Nigerians will be kept fully abreast of the results of the Commission’s investigations.”
He stated that the purpose of the meeting was to solicit media support and understanding towards deepening the fight against fraud, corruption and economic crimes. He solicited advice and suggestions in effectively executing the war against fraud.
“Apart from bringing corrupt public officers to justice, we are determined, in line with the stance of the current administration, to send an unmistakable message to everyone – that no Nigerian shall be regarded as being above the law or treated as a sacred cow as far as the fight against corruption is concerned,” he said.
And addressing his guests directly, he said: “The EFCC needs you; Nigeria needs your critical support if we are to make any headway in this important campaign against corruption.
“My plea for your support is underscored by my understanding that the forces which we are battling are powerful and some of them may want to use all platforms of the media to distract and derail us. If and when they come to you, please allow the ethics of your profession, your conscience and overriding national interest to be your guide.”
The EFCC boss explained that he had re-ordered the priorities of the EFCC and that he finds inspiration in the unbending will of the president to fight corruption
He added that the judiciary had responded with some practical steps in the form of the designation of selected courts to try EFCC cases.
When asked about the perceived lopsided nature of the arrests made so far with the main opposition party crying out that its chieftains are singled out for persecution.
In his response, Magu said he would be happy to investigate politicians from the ruling party if they are indicted.
“Such accusations have come up a lot, but we work with petitions before us. In fact, I am eager and waiting for something from the other side, but nothing has come so far,” he said.
0 comments:
Post a Comment