Rivers State Government has reiterated that the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC) has no power to investigate the financial
transactions of the state.
Reacting to statements credited to the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr
Ibrahim Magu, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications,
Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, stated that EFCC can only investigate the
government if it vacates the Federal High Court judgment that declared
that it cannot investigate the financial transactions of the government.
“Magu cannot claim that that judgment cannot stand, except he wants
Nigerians to believe that he has started issuing instructions to the
Supreme Court.
“It is unfortunate that in a democracy someone holding a public office
would want to muzzle the Court, “the Commissioner said.
On the allegation that Rivers State is the second capital of money
laundering in Nigeria after Lagos, the Information boss wondered how the
EFCC arrived at that conclusion.
“To justify this allegation, the EFCC should make public the names of
people they have arrested and prosecuted in Rivers State over money
laundering. If this is not done, Magu’s statement would just be seen as
mere playing to the gallery to enjoy cheap publicity”, he said.
He stated that the Rivers State Government will support EFCC to fight
corruption within the ambit of the law, but will reject any attempt to
subvert the rule of law in the state.
The Commissioner advised the Acting Chairman of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu to be patient and
desist from the illegality of arrogating to himself the judicial powers
of courts.
“The EFCC should desist from self-help and unnecessary political
propaganda, as it will yield no results, ” he stated.