EFCC chairman accused of diverting N1trillion loot recovered from corrupt politicians

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Lamorde, has been accused of diverting over N1tn recovered from corrupt politicians who forfeited their loots. A man named George Uboh recently petitioned the Senate, accusing the chairman of the anti-graft agency of diverting money recovered from corrupt politicians including former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; and ex-Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun.

The Senate having received the petition which was dated July 31st, ordered its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate the allegations. Both the petitioner and Mr Lamorde have been invited to appear by the Senate committee at Meeting Room 120 of the New Senate Building, National Assembly Complex, on Wednesday August 26th for some questioning.

According to the petition which was addressed to Senate President Bukola Saraki, Mr Lamorde is accused of carrying out many diversions while he served as the Director of Operations of the EFCC between 2003 and 2007 and also as an acting Chairman of the commission between June 2007 and May 2008.

The petitioner alleged that in March 2013, the EFCC boss diverted the sum of N779m out of the total N3bn forfeited by former police chief, Tafa Balogun to the Federal Government. He also alleged that the EFCC boss conspired with some officials of the anti-graft agency to under-remit the former IG’s forfeited funds of about N5.85bn into the Consolidated Revenue Account by holding back about N2.65bn.

The petitioner assured the Senate that he was ready to provide unparalleled evidence to back his allegations against Lamorde. Both men are expected to appear before the Senate by 10am on Wednesday August 26th.

Source: Linda Ikeji