Arrest of Judges probe: Reps threaten to arrest AGF for failing to appear before Committee

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday disclosed that some of the judges who were recently arrested and detained by Department of State Security (DSS).

Ibrahim Magu, EFCC Chairman who disclosed this while appearing before the Adhoc Committee investigating the arrest of Judicial officers, chaired by Garba Datti, however failed to disclose the identities of the affected judges.

Magu who was represented by Jonson Ojogbane, Prosector and Assistant Director of EFCC, explained that the Commission which was vested with wide powers, can initiate investigation of individual, organisation or any judges including public or political office holders.

The EFCC boss who denied involvement “in this particular operation” carried out by DSS, however noted that the Commission and other security agencies have statutory powers to embark on ‘sting operations’ in the bid to achieve effective result.

Magu further stated that the Commission has statutory powers to investigate and prosecute all financial and economic crimes and any form of fraud, narcotic drug and trafficking, money laundering, embezzlement, bribery, looting and any form of corrupt malpractices, illegal arms deal, smuggling, human trafficking, child labour, illegal oil bunkering and illegal mining, tax evasion, foreign exchange malpractices, including counterfeiting of currency, theft of intellectual properties and piracy, open !market abuse, dumping of toxic waste and prohibited goods.

“What we did was to state the powers of the EFCC and where we derived our powers from over the years and to add, that EFCC has the mandate to investigate and prosecute all economic and financial crimes in the last 13 years and we have lived up to expectations.”

Speaking in his own capacity, Ojogbane observed that the operations carried out by the DSS at the ‘wee-hour’ which has generated undue criticism could have been done during broad day light.

Meanwhile, the Adhoc Committee has threatened to issue a bench warrant against Abubakar Malami, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) if he fails to appear before the Committee on 29th October 2016, as well as the Inspector General of Police.

Malami, allegedly failed to honour the invitation of the Committee and respond to inquiries on the role played in the arrest of judges.Datti, who spoke after over 2 hours closed door session with Director General of Department of State Security (DSS) and Economic and representative of Chairman of Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), expressed displeasure over the Adhoc Committee was mandated to “investigate all cases of invasion of property and arrest of persons for reasons outside the general duties of the State Security Services as prescribed by the National Securities Act, since 29th May, 2015.”

Speaking earlier, Ekpo NTA, chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) had earlier disclosed that the personnel of Department of State Services (DSS) was empowered by SSS Instrument No. 1 of 1999, similar powers of arrest vested on officers of the Nigerian Police Force.

Section 3(1) of the SSS instrument I of 1999 provides that: “For the purpose of facilitating the discharge of its functions under these instrument, personnel of the State Security Services are hereby conferred with the powers of Superior Police officer in respect of searches and
arrest.”

Likewise, section 3(2b) of the SSS Instrument I of 1999 provides that in the execution of its functions set out in the Instrument, the SSS shall have power to “impound and keep in its custody the passports or any other property of persons or organizations under investigation if considered appropriate by the Director-General.” Meanwhile, Lawal Daura, DSS Director General who noted that “the meeting went well,” however declined further comment, as his Aides prevented the Legislative Correspondents from who inquired about the outcome of the interactive session.