Fresh moves to remove EFCC chairman uncovered

Posted by admin EFCC Politics, Latest Politics Monday, August 15th, 2011

FRESH moves to replace the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs Farida Waziri, were unfolded, at the weekend with indications emerging that both anti-and pro-Farida forces have started a consistent lobby of power brokers in the presidency.

Sources in the know told the Nigerian Tribune that the presidency had been bombarded with details of misdeeds attributed to Farida in recent months, especially the alleged excesses of her husband, Senator Ajuji Waziri.

It was also gathered that those opposed to her removal have also intensified their push on the strength of the fact that the government, which promised women 35 per cent affirmative action, should not just start removing women from vantage positions on the strength of the opposition by some powerful forces.

Details of the submission by those seeking the immediate removal of the EFCC boss include the claims that the international community no longer respects Nigeria’s fight against corruption since her assumption of office.

A source confirmed that the presidency had come under both local and international pressure to remove Farida from office “on the grounds that the country’s fight against corruption can no longer be taken seriously under her leadership.”

It was gathered that some representatives of the European Union as well as emisaries from the United States of America, who visited President Goodluck Jonathan recently, admitted that the nation’s anti-corruption fight was plumetting.

“The team gave an embarrassing report on the performance of Nigeria in fighting corruption and they singled out the EFCC as having done little in the fight,” the source said, adding that reports from the anti-Farida forces were coming in torrents.

“The president is being bombarded daily with requests to sack Farida. I can confirm to you that the president alone stands in the way of her opponents so far, as he has chosen to be cautious. Left to many, the woman can be removed immediately,” a source said.

It was gathered that home-based opponents of the EFCC boss have cited activities of her husband, Senator Waziri, who is said to have been hosting some persons of questionable character in his Abuja and Gombe homes.

Those opposed to Farida’s reign were also said to have combed the EFCC Act 2004, which they insisted empowers the president to remove any chairman if he is convinced such removal will enhance national interest.

“The law book empowers the president to remove any chairman in the overall national interest. So he does not need to go through the National Assembly,” a source quoted one of the submissions to the presidency.

It was also gathered that the bid to remove Farida was being linked with the need to re-organise the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

“The president has been told that if he will be seen as fighting corruption, he has to tackle the problem of headship of the two most important anti-graft agencies, the EFCC and ICPC. While EFCC recorded some successes in the past, ICPC has not been associated with any real achievements. Even EFCC is losing track. The two agencies are like dying organisations.

“That is why even the Senate rejected another retired judge as chairman of ICPC, because they believe we need fresh blood to fight corruption. In any case, some people are fighting Farida’s cause also at the highest levels,” a source in the presidency stated further.

The EFCC chairman recently came in conflict with the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, who criticised the comission for its lack of investigative skills and tact in the corruption fight.

The AGF had followed that up with a gazette which sought to place the control of anti-graft agencies under his control.

-Tribunewp_posts