Group threatens to sue EFCC for refusal to prosecute Kachikwu, others for alleged graft

The Patriots of Anti-Corruption League (PAL) an anti-corruption group, has given the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) 14 days to commence the prosecution of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu or face a law suit to compel it to do so.

The group stated this in a petition it sent to the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, asking that the commission commence the trial of the minister and six others for alleged corruption related offences.

The petition, signed by Kingsley Arthur, Director of Investigation and Dedekuma Orumbo, Media and Publicity, claimed that the commission had in 2016 investigated a case of suspicious banking transactions, involving companies that participated in petroleum subsidy fraud.

The group named four perons; Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Dumebi Kachikwu, Bukola Olatumbo Ayinde, Ahmed Aminu and three companies; Accelerated Building Technologies Limited, Netlink Technologies Limited and Dutchess Energy Limited as the subjects of the investigation.

It also alleged that the EFCC, having concluded its investigation on the matter since 2016, had foot-dragged on taking the next line of action, which ought to have been the prosecution of the persons and companies involved.

The group further averred that EFCC’s failure to take steps to act on the concluded investigation would cast a shadow on the integrity of the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s anti-corruption crusade, which had endeared the country and its leader to other developed world leaders.

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“In your investigation report it is clearly stated that investigations have established the private account as a “conduit and money laundering”. It is evident and incontrovertible that there lies therein enough evidence to prosecute these persons in a competent court of Law for money laundering.

“Mr Chairman we are writing to lend our voice of disgust to the delay in bringing these culprits to account. In the fight against corruption in this present administration there should be no sacred cow. (These are the words of Mr President) and it is important all people of goodwill should encourage, support and abide by this and stand with Mr President.

“Mr Chairman your refusal or lukewarm attitude not to arraign these persons will surely put a dent and bring disrepute to the President Mohammadu Buhari’s much touted Anti-corruption fight before Nigerians and the international community”, the group said in the petition.

Consequently, PAL requested that the persons and companies herein mentioned be arraigned in a competent court of law without further delay

“In view of the foregoing we are issuing a 14 days ultimatum to the commission to show cause why these persons and companies should not be arraigned in a court of competent jurisdiction, without which we shall have no option than to drag your good self and the commission to court to show reasonable cause why a mandamus should not be served on the commission and your good self”, the group threatened.

 

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