The Rivers State government has cautioned the Chairman of the Econimic and Financial Crimes Commission Ibrahim Magu on arrogating judicial powers to himself.
This is in reaction to comments credited to the chairman of the EFCC over its plan to investigate the state government after a court judgement prevented such.
The Rivers state Commissioner for Information, Paulinus Nsirim in a statement said the EFCC can only investigate the government if it vacates the Federal High Court judgment that declared that it cannot investigate the financial transactions of the government.
Reacting to various claims by the EFCC that Rivers State is the second capital of money laundering in Nigeria after Lagos, the commissioner wondered how the EFCC arrived at that conclusion. He went on to dare the anti graft agency to publicly name those who it has arrested and prosecuted for money laundering in Rivers state.
“Magu cannot claim that that judgement cannot stand, except he wants Nigerians to believe that he has started issuing instructions to the Supreme Court.
“It is unfortunate that in a democracy someone holding a public office would want to muzzle the Court, “the Commissioner said.
“To justify this allegation, the EFCC should make public the names of people they have arrested and prosecuted in Rivers State over money laundering. If this is not done, Magu’s statement would just be seen as mere playing to the gallary to enjoy cheap publicity”, he said.
He however stated that the Rivers State Government will support EFCC to fight corruption within the ambit of the law, but will reject any attempt to subvert the rule of law in the state.
The Commissioner advised the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu to be patient and desist from the illegality of arrogating to himself the judicial powers of courts.
“The EFCC should desist from self help and unnecessary political propaganda, as it will yield no results, ” he stated.
