Corrupt persons behind protest over Lamido, Oronsaye --- EFCC
(Nigeria) A rented
crowd claiming to be representatives of civil society organisations under the
aegis of Coalition of Civil Liberties and Equity on Tuesday, attempted to stage
a “protest,” calling for the removal of the chairman of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Lamorde.
The group hinges its demand for Lamorde’s removal on alleged
bias in the investigation and prosecution of Sule Lamido, former governor of
Jigawa State and Steve Oronsaye, former Head of Service of the Federation.
Meanwhile, spokesperson of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, has
decried the attempt by the group to mislead Nigerians and distract the agency.
In a statement, he said “My sincere advice to Nigerians is
to ignore this so called CSOs. We should not allow a group of misguided
elements to assault our collective sensibilities with a choreographed protest
paid for by corrupt persons being prosecuted by the EFCC. The era when
Nigerians were easily deceived by rented crowd is over.
“Any discerning mind can see through the selfish motive of
the group. Why is it that, they did not see any reason to call for the removal
of Lamorde all these years until he moved against their patrons? What is bias
in charging a person indicted by a corruption investigation to court? Is Lamido
or Oronsaye saying that they are innocent of the charges levied against them by
the EFCC? Instead of visiting the indignity of the spectacle of rented CSOs on
the nation, they should go and face their trial in court.”
Lamido and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha alongside one
Aminu Wada Abubakar are being prosecuted by the EFCC on 28-count charge of
corruption and money laundering.
They were arraigned alongside four companies: Bamaina
Holdings Limited, Bamiana Company Nigeria Limited, Bamaina Aluminum Limited and
Speeds International Limited.
Lamido is said to have abused his position as governor of
Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015, by awarding contracts to companies where he
has interest, using his two sons, as front.
Oronsaye, and two others are facing a 24-count charge bordering
on stealing and obtaining money by false pretense.
The former Head of Service, who is alleged to have been
complicit in several contract awards during his tenure as HoS, was charged
along with Osarenkhoe Afe.
They are alleged to have committed biometrics enrolment
fraud to the tune of N2 billion.
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