The Federal Ministry of Justice has moved to debunk reports that the Federal Government had through the ministry ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe its Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde over a phantom assets diversion charge by convicted fraudster, George Uboh.
In a statement by its Director (Press), Charles E. Nwodo, made available, Wednesday, the Justice ministry described the report that it sought to probe Lamorde as ‘erroneous and misleading,’ saying it needed to put ‘the records straight’ by issuing a statement on the matter.
“….The Ministry wishes to categorically state that the impression created in the story to the effect that the Federal Government has directed it to probe the chairman of the EFCC is, to say the least, erroneous and misleading.
“In view of the misleading impression created by the headline (of the story) it has become imperative to put the records straight as far as the role the Ministry of Justice played in the matter is concerned.
The general public is invited to note that, a petitioner had earlier forwarded allegations against the Chairman and some other functionaries of the EFCC which, as required by the rules of the Public Service and the constitutional right of fair hearing, were passed to the Chairman of the EFCC for response. The Ministry is awaiting that response.
“The Ministry considers it unfortunate that the… report relied on our letter to the petitioner acknowledging his petition to weave a story around it which serves only to misinform unsuspecting members of the public,” the statement said.
