President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed a private consultant, Victor Uwajeh, being accused of fraud, to trace and recover undeclared assets and proceeds of fraud as part of the ongoing fight against corruption in the country.
The London based Nigerian private investigator is said to be facing a four-count charge the Federal Government preferred against him for attempting to obtain money through fraudulent means from Senator Andy Uba, who is representing Anambra South Senatorial District.
The office of the Attorney-general of Federation (AGF) instituted the suit against Uwajeh on behalf of the government.
Uwajeh was said to have been indicted by a crack team of the Nigerian Police Force which conducted investigations into a petition that was written to the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, by Senator Uba.
The embattled lawmaker had in his petition, accused Uwajeh of attempting to use bogus and illegally procured documents to extort money from him.
Nevertheless, the defendant insisted that Senator Uba engaged his services for an assignment in the United Kingdom Border Agency and in the United States of America.
Uwajeh said he previously dragged Uba to court over his alleged refusal to pay him the debt of £1.9million that was remaining from their agreed fee.
In the said suit, the defendant accused Uba of parading fake academic credentials.
He said he got details of Uba’s alleged dubious qualifications from documents he was exposed to while he worked as a private investigator for the lawmaker.
However, the appointment of Uwajeh was conveyed in a letter signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution matters, Okoi Obono-Obla.
The letter said Uwajeh’s application has been considered for engagement as special investigator to his panel.
Uwajeh’s letter of engagement reads: “Reference is being made to your letter dated 15th March 2018,
“I am pleased to inform you that you application has been considered for engagement as a special investigator to the panel.
“Consequent upon this appointment, you are to trace and where necessary recover undeclared assets and proceeds of fraud for the Federal Government of Nigeria in line with the mandate of the panel. This appointment is subject to terms and conditions as may be expressed in a duly executed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).”
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja, on April 18th, issued order for substituted service of criminal summons on Uwajeh.
This development stands to question the potency of the anti-corruption mantra of the Buhari administration. - Daily Post
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