Rivers State Government has declared that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has “no power to investigate the financial transactions” of the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim stated that EFCC can only investigate the Governor Nyesom Wike-led government if it vacates the Federal High Court judgment that declared that it cannot investigate the financial transactions of the government.
Nsirim stated this in reaction to statements credited to the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu on investigating the state government.
In a statement he signed and sent to us, the Commissioner said: “Magu cannot claim that that judgment 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.”
On the allegation that the state was the second capital of money laundering in Nigeria after Lagos, Nsirim wondered how the anti-graft agency arrived at that conclusion.
“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 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 also advised 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.
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