The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday denied media reports that the senate had ordered the anti graft agency to hands off further prosecution of the police pension scam.
A section of the media (Not LEADERSHIP) had reported that the senate had ordered the police to probe former chairman of the commission, Farida Waziri, and her successor, Ibrahim Larmode for alleged complicity in the pension scam. The report had also alleged that the chairman of EFCC collected estacode for biometric capturing exercise overseas.
A statement by acting Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, stated yesterday that the commission was shocked at the falsehood in that report. He maintained that at no time did the senate order the police to probe either former chairman of the commission, Farida Waziri or the current chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Larmode over the matter.
The statement added that the report may have been twisted out of proportion by persons who had an ulterior motive.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has observed with concern, reports in sections of the media alleging that the senate had directed the Nigeria Police to probe its former chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri and the incumbent, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde for perceived wrongdoing in the pension probe.
“Additionally, it was reported that the commission has been directed by the senate to hands off further investigation of pension matters.
These assertions which made banner headlines in some national dailies were gross misrepresentation of what transpired at the public hearing of the Senate Joint Committee on Investigations into Pension Administration on Tuesday, April 17, 2012.
“The commission wishes to state that, at no time did the senate committee or the senate as a whole order the police to probe the chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde and his predecessor, Mrs. Farida Waziri. Neither did it request the EFCC to hands off pension matters. Reports to the contrary, may have been promoted by interests to achieve certain nefarious ends.
For the avoidance of doubt and the benefit of millions of Nigerians who may have been misled by the falsehood published by sections of the media,” the statement clarified.