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FG sets up committee for high profile graft cases

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The federal government on Friday inaugurated a National Prosecution Coordination Committee, NPCC, for “effective investigation and prosecution of high profile criminal cases in Nigeria.”

The committee headed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami was inaugurated by the vice
president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja.

Speaking at the vent, Osinbajo said President Muhammadu Buhari is not influencing, or dictating to the EFCC and other security agencies on who to investigate or release in the ongoing anti-corruption war.

He said the government gives the agencies the independence to use their discretion in carrying out their duties.

He said, “when you look at the way that the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies have acted in recent times you will notice that they are not under any kind of direction of influence of the President. They are given the independence to act; they are given the authority and backing to act in their own and to use their own discretion appropriately at all times. You don’t get any situation where the president says go get that person of back off that person.”

According to him, “all of us know that the President is completely committed to fighting corruption and economic crimes and terrorism.”

Read also: Jonathan’s cousin’s arrest: Media compromised, EFCC says

Prof. Osinbajo continued, that “Given the nature of economic crimes and the enormity sometimes of the money that is involved and the influence of those who may have to be prosecuted, you need more than legal skills. You need men and women of strong character and courage who will not only be able to turn down inducements of any kind but also act
without consideration for tribe, friendship, religion or any other parochial considerations.’

“This is a very important committee because the administration itself is committed to ensuring that we are able to deal with not only question of corruption which is a big item on our agenda but also other economic crimes. Terrorism has assumed different shapes and proportions of late, and the vandalism that we see in parts of the Niger Delta, which has affected so many different things including oil production, power supply.”

Other members of the committee include: Mr. Taiwo Abidogun-Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of JusticeMr. Dipo Okpeseyi, SANMr. Chukuma Machukwu, SANProfessor Bolaji Owasanoye, the Executive Secretary of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-CorruptionMr. M.S. Diri, Director of Prosecution,Ministry of JusticeMr. Pius Oteh, Esq.Okoi Obono-Obla Esq.Mrs Juliet IbekakuMr. Abiodun Aikomo, Esq.Mr. Kehinde Oginni, Esq,Mr. Salihu Othman Isah-Special Adviser, Media & Publicity to the Attorney-GeneralAl-Amin Ado Ibrahim, from the Office of the National Security Adviser Nafiu YakubuTunji Oluborode, Esq.Eric Onokif Ifere Esq.Mrs Diane OkokoTemitope Adebayo, Esq.DIG Abdulrahman Yusuf, RTDSylvester Imhanobe, Esq, Secretary to the Committee

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