EFCC raises alarm, alleges plot by businessman to frame up investigator
- THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised an alarm over one of its cases
- The anti-graft commission says it has uncovered a plot by a businessman to frame up one of its investigators
- The businessman, Abdulhamid Mahmud Zari, has been under probe from the commission
The EFCC announced on Monday, June 11, that it has uncovered an alleged plot by a businessman, Abdulhamid Mahmud Zari, to frame up one of its key investigators, Abubakar Madaki.
The commission said the businessman, who has been under probe, was peddling rumours that Madaki allegedly extorted N4 million from him to secure bail.
The anti-graft agency clarified that Madaki was never part of its investigating team looking into allegations against the businessman.
It claimed that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who is being investigated by the EFCC, was suspected to be behind the smear campaign against its key investigator. The EFCC also denied insinuations that Madaki is a personal assistant to the acting chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu.
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In a statement released to the media by its head of media and publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC said the move is geared towards maligning and impugning the reputation of Madaki.
Part of the statement read: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC has been drawn to a report entitled, Businessman accuses Magu’s aide of N4m extortion, which appeared in a newspaper of June 9, 2018 and syndicated in various online platforms.
“The report purports that Madaki, an operative of the commission whom they referred to as personal assistant to the acting chairman, obtained N4 million from a certain Abdulhamid Mahmud Zari, a suspect under investigation for alleged money laundering by the commission, to grant him bail.
“The commission wishes to state that there is no truth to this allegation, which is contrived to malign and impugn the reputation of Madaki, an operative who has handled several high profile investigations without blemish.
“What is currently playing out in select media outlets is the unraveling of a vengeful script by Zari and his cohorts to impugn the integrity of Madaki and bring him to public ridicule.
“It will interest members of the public, who may have been misled by the mischievous story, to know that Zari has been crossed with Madaki over suspicion that he instigated the investigation leading to his arrest and detention by the commission.
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"Soon after he was released on bail, Zari launched a media offensive against Madaki, accusing him of buying half of the land in his home town, Keffi for N10 billion. He also claimed that the officer owns two palatial mansions in choice areas of Abuja worth N250 million.
“In line with the commission’s stance on professional responsibility by officers and men, the phantom allegations were duly investigated by the commission and found to be baseless."
The anti-graft agency said Madaki was never at any point a member of investigating team on the allegations against Zari. It also explained that Madaki did not demand bribe from the affected businessman.
The statement added: “Zari has now changed gear by bringing up fresh allegations against the officer. Now, he would have the world believe that he was extorted N4m to be granted bail in an agency that is not known for collecting money to admit suspects on bail.
“What makes the allegation more ridiculous is the fact that Madaki is not the officer handling Zari’s investigation. He is not even a member of the team. It, therefore, beats the imagination how an officer that is not involved in a case would be the one demanding money for the bail of a suspect.
“If Zari is persuaded that he paid bribes to secure bail from the EFCC, he is obliged to take the additional step of stating the time, place and circumstances in which the money was collected from him and by who, together with witnesses to the transaction.”
The EFCC implicated a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who is currently being investigated by Madaki, as one of those behind the smear campaign against the commission.
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It said: “Zari, unfortunately is not acting alone. Intelligence available to the commission indicates that the invidious publications are sponsored and promoted by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who is currently being investigated by the same officer.
“The objective is clear, to intimidate Madaki and the EFCC, and prepare the grounds for claims of malice or vindictiveness by the time charges are filed against the suspects in court.”
Meanwhile, the senator representing Delta North in the National Assembly, Barrister Peter Nwaoboshi, has said what he is being persecuted for by the EFCC is pure business transaction.
Nwaoboshi who made the claim while addressing selected journalists in Asaba on Monday, June 11, said he would never be muzzled, cowed or intimidated by anybody to keep quiet and betray the leadership of the National Assembly since he did not launder money except that EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu once threatened him.
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Source: Legit.ng
