The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been asked to go after former directors with the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, who allegedly made away with some billions belonging to the commission.
NEMA has been on the EFCC radar following the alleged disappearance of N2.5billion from the agency.
Six top directors of the agency had since been axed indefinitely in connection with the missing fund.
Those placed on suspension are the Director of Finance and Accounts, Akinbola Hakeem Gbolahan; Ag. Director, Special Duties, Umesi Emenike; Director, Risk Reduction, Mallam Alhassan Nuhu; Pilot in-charge Air Ambulance and Aviation Unit, Mamman Ali Ibrahim; the Chief Maintenance Officer, Ganiyu Yunusa Deji; and the Director of Welfare, Kanar Mohammed.
However, a former Director-General, of the agency, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Sidi, was accused of maintaining 20 different accounts in various banks, as a public servant.
This was part of the revelations at the ongoing public hearing by the House of Representatives committee on emergency and disaster preparedness few months back.
Addressing the media on the development on Thursday, the Nationalists Conscience Guard of Africa (NaCGA), called on the anti-graft agency to go after the indicted directors.
National President of the group, Mr. Charles Agbonlahor, also urged Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, to reopen the case file on the indicted directors and other staff accused of eating fat from the agency’s fund under the former NEMA-DG, Mr. Sani Sidi.
He said, “NEMA Governing Council led by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo who is the statutory chairman met and deliberated on the EFCC request for the suspension of the affected persons. The Board in its wisdom saw merit in EFCC request and approved the suspension accordingly.
“However, the panicked and indicted directors sensed danger in allowing the EFCC complete its investigation. And it rushed with a petition to the House of Representatives, (HoR) alleging unlawful suspension from office.
“Apparently, the EFCC paused its investigation of the N2.5 billion fraud to allow the HoR Adhoc Probe Committee on Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness chaired by Hon. Isa Ali to execute its malicious probe of NEMA finances under Maihaja. We are not surprised at the attempt to sweep under the carpet the alleged N2.5 billion fraud perpetrated in the agency by Sani Sidi and the directors.
“Nonetheless, since the HoR has fully executed it plot and antics through a diversionary probe of NEMA under frivolous allegations, it is only appropriate for the EFCC to resume investigations of the N2.5 billion fraud uncovered in the agency.
“The anti-graft agency has no option than to reopen the case file on the indicted directors and other staff linked to the fraud for the unholy, wicked and heartless pilfering of the agency’s fund under the former NEMA-DG, Mr. Sani Sidi.
“It is imperative for the EFCC to hasten the completion of investigation into the matter; but if investigations have already been completed, it should do the needful.”
- Daily Post
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