The presidency has made a statement concerning the removal of former EFCC chairman Ibrahim Lamorde.

“Mr. Magu, who is an Assistant Commissioner of Police, is to take over from Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, who is proceeding on terminal leave ahead of the formal expiration of his tenure in February, next year,” a statement from Femi Adesina said.

According to The Nation, someone familiar with the matter said the EFCC chairman was removed following some allegations against him and security report.

• Allegations of mismanagement of N1.3tr recovered from looters

“The Senate is looking into alleged mismanagement of N1.3trillion recovered by the anti-graft agency. The Presidency was uncomfortable with some disclosures by the petitioner, George Uboh.

“While the government does not want to tamper with the ongoing probe by the Senate, it believes it is untidy to allow the EFCC chairman to be rubbished. It is better for Lamorde to step aside.”

• Fraternity with Jonathan's associates.

Another factor was a security report on his alleged relationship with some former officials of former President Goodluck Jonathan's administration.

It was gathered that the Presidency was angry that the EFCC did not take action on former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke until the National Crimes Agency in the United Kingdom invited her for questioning.

The government believed there were sufficient grounds to prevent Diezani from travelling to the UK.

• Tardiness in prosecuting Godswill Akpabio

It was also learnt that the EFCC bid its time in managing the investigation of former Akwa Ibom Governor Godswill Akpabio when sister agencies raised the alarm.


The Nation