ASHENEWS reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned a former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chidi Odinkalu to watch his criticism of the anti-graft agency.
This platform earlier reported the EFCC as disclosing that it had so far recovered ₦50 billion and is probing 50 bank accounts relating to the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu and former CEO of NSIPA, Halima Shehu.
“We have laws and regulations guiding our investigations. Nigerians will also know that they are already on suspension and this is based on the investigations we have done, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has proved to Nigerians that he is ready to fight corruption.
“Moreover, with respect to this particular case, we have recovered over N30 billion, which is already in the coffers of the Federal Government. It takes time to conclude investigations; we started this matter less than six weeks ago.
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“There are cases that take years to investigate. There are so many angles to it. And we need to follow through with some of the discoveries that we have seen. Nigerians should give us time on this matter; we have professionals on this case and they need to do things right. There are so many leads here and there.
“As it is now, we are investigating over 50 bank accounts that we have traced money into. That is no child’s play. That’s a big deal. Then you ask about my staff strength. And again, we have thousands of other cases that we are working on.
“Nigerians have seen the impact of what we have done so far, by way of some people being placed on suspension and by way of the recoveries that we have made. You have seen that the programme itself has been suspended.
“We are exploring so many discoveries that we have stumbled upon in our investigation. If it is about seeing people in jail, well let them wait, everything has a process to follow. So Nigerians should wait and give us the benefit of the doubt,” the EFCC chairman said.
Reacting to the report on his X handle @ChidiOdunkalu, tweeted that though so much money was recovered from the duo, Betty Edu still remained free whilst Idris Okuneye(a.k.a Bobrisky) was arrested for a lesser crime.
“That sounds like she was Minister of #HumanitarianLooting? And yet she remains free. There are no charges &, left to @officialEFCC this does not abuse the Naira at all….,” Odinkalu tweeted.
The Commission’s warning is contained in a statement by its Head of Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale on Monday.
“The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to some reckless commentaries made by a former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu on the arrest of Idris Okuneye(a.k.a Bobrisky) by the Commission, describing it as evidence of idleness or an abuse of power.
“The Commission views such commentaries from Odinkalu as unbecoming of a former head of a major government agency.
“Okuneye was arrested and arraigned by the Commission on the basis of clear cases of abuse of the Naira to which he has pleaded guilty.
“Odinkalu has a right to free speech as a Nigerian but such a right should be exercised with decorum and responsibility.
“The Commission would not hesitate to take appropriate legal actions against such uncouth commentaries against its lawful mandate by anyone.
Odinkalu is warned and advised to ventilate his rascally opinions more responsibly in future situations.
