Political Briefs
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IBRAHIM Lamorde, former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has appeal to the Nigeria Police to disregard the Senate’s order for his arrest.
In a statement issued on Thursday, February 25, by Festus Keyamo, his counsel, Lamorde said the police and other law enforcement agencies should resist the invitation to drag themselves into what he called illegal scheme.
“We most respectfully urge the Nigeria Police Force to await the outcome of the matter pending in court before deciding one way or the other about the enforcement of the said warrant of arrest, if eventually issued,” Lamorde said.
“If the court decides otherwise against our position, our client is prepared to appear before the Senate or any of its committees.”
The Senate, had on Thursday, February 25, issued a warrant for the arrest of Lamorde for repeatedly failing to appear before its committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
The committee, chaired by Samuel Anyanwu, investigating Lamorde for alleged corruption, had requested for the arrest warrant.
The committee’s action was precipitated on a petition written by one George Uboh, who alleged that Lamorde diverted about N1 trillion proceeds of corruption recovered by the EFCC, which prompted investigation.
The Senate committee had since invited Lamorde to appear before it many times, but the former EFCC boss has failed to honour the invitations.
On November 19, last year, Lamorde instituted a legal action at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking an interpretation of the powers of the Senate with respect to investigations.
“Both the Senate and the committee were served with the originating summons and a motion seeking an interlocutory injunction restraining the Senate from continuing with their investigations pending the determination of the suit,” Lamorde’s statement read.
“The processes were served on them on 20th November, 2015, but since then, they have refused, ignored and failed to file any process in defence of the suit.”
Lamorde said he would appear before the Senate or any of its committees if the court decides against him.
Lamorde, who is currently on course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, was removed as EFCC chairman in November last year, four years after he took over as head of the anti-graft agency.
— Mar 7, 2016 @ 01:00 GMT
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