Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mrs Farida Waziri, has reminded former President Olusegun Obasanjo that ability to be used to witch hunt political enemies in the rabid pursuit of a third term agenda has never been part of the qualifications for appointment as chairman of the anti-graft agency,
Newsdiary online reports.
Waziri stated this while reacting to publications on
allegations made against her by the ex-president. Obasanjo
had been quoted as saying that Waziri was not qualified to head the EFCC when she was appointed chairman of the
anti-graft agency.
In a statement personally signed by Waziri and made
available yesterday, the former EFCC boss faulted the allegations levelled against her by Obasanjo.
She said, “My attention has been drawn to a number of allegations made against me by Obasanjo. One of such was the alleged involvement of former Delta State Governor
James Ibori in my appointment. While I hold the office of a Head of state, either serving or retired in the highest
esteem, I will like to put on record for the umpteenth time
that this is totally unfounded, blatant lie and arrant
falsehood.
“It is therefore worrisome when a man who has been
twice a Nigerian head of state can descend so low to peddle
falsehood. The truth is that I never met Ibori in my life
until after months in office as chairman of the EFCC when
I used to see him in the presidential villa.
“It is on record today that I initiated the investigation that
drove Ibori into the waiting hands of Interpol and Metpolice. As such, it is illogical and nonsensical for
anyone to continue to insinuate that Ibori has a hand in my appointment. I remember this was one of the lies Obasanjo’s sit-tight pawns cooked to stop my appointment
as EFCC chairman in 2008.
“On the issue of qualifications raised by Obasanjo, the
qualification for appointment as chairman of the Commission as stipulated in its Establishment Act says that the chairman shall ‘be a serving or retired member of any
government security or law enforcement agency not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police or equivalent;
and possess not less than 15 years cognate experience’. Late
President Umaru Yar’Adua did not have to alter the Establishment Act when he was appointing me unlike what
Obasanjo did.
“Again for the records, I served in the Nigeria Police force
for 35 years and got to the pinnacle of my career before
my appointment as EFCC chairman. If Obasanjo’s real age
has not blurred his memory, I will like to remind him that I was a Commissioner of Police, Admin Force CID, CP
General Investigations, CP Anti-fraud, CP X squad, CP Police Special Fraud Unit where I secured the first conviction in a case of Advance Fee Fraud in Nigerian
history.
“These are all prime investigative organs of the Nigeria
Police where I related with other law enforcement agencies
including the FBI across the world. I must place on record
that at SFU, I did not only relate with FBI, Interpol and
Metpolice among others , we carried out joint operations at
different times on a number of cases. I have also led the
Nigerian delegation to the Interpol headquarters in France.
“To further expose the height of mischief in the allegations,
the past and present chairmen of the EFCC have both
worked under me, yet someone can open his mouth to say I am not qualified to head the same agency. This is in addition to my educational qualifications such as a first
degree in Law, a Master’s degree in Law and another Master’s degree in Strategic studies. I doubt if Obasanjo himself can boast of this level of educational qualifications.
“I will also like to remind Obasanjo that no chairman of
the EFCC has till date beaten my records in terms of
investigation of high profile cases, prosecution, conviction
and recovery.
“I will like to warn that those who live in glass house
don’t throw stones and as such Obasanjo should not allow
me open up on him. Respectable elder statesmen act and
speak with decorum”
By LEADERSHIP Newspaper
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