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: Punch