The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has debunked reports that it is investigating former Head of Service, Steve Oronsaye, because of his perceived support for a bill proposing that the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit be carved out of EFCC as an independent agency.
In a statement on Tuesday, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said as “a responsible and responsive law enforcement agency, the anti-graft agency has no scores to settle with Oronsaye,” stating that the EFCC only quizzed him based on information against him.
“Let it be made manifestly clear that the EFCC is a responsible and responsive law enforcement agency and has no scores whatsoever to settle with Mr. Oronsaye or any other person for that matter.
“The commission wishes to state that it is not the place of interested parties outside the EFCC to determine when an investigation is closed in a particular matter, as is being falsely projected in the sponsored media reports” the statement said.
The anti-graft agency said the pension scam investigation was still ongoing and that anyone mentioned as having played a role in it like Oronsaye would be invited to explain his alleged involvement because “that is the standard practice in the best tradition of law enforcement worldwide.”
Uwujaren said, “It is a very lame and despicable attempt to beg the question by muddying up the waters or throwing the scent elsewhere as the reports have obviously been trying to do.
“Time does not run out on criminal investigation or prosecution and if fresh information is brought to the attention of the EFCC at any time on any matter the commission is handling, we are duty bound to look into it.
“If investigations indict the former Head of Service as alleged, what will be the defence in court: that he is in support of the creation of Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency?”
He urged Nigerians to shun “spirited attempts” to divert attention from efforts to find those who stole the “over N6bn of poor pensioners’ life savings.”