The House of Representatives yesterday resolved to probe failure of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to remit over N1 trillion accruing from forfeited funds recovered from convicted corrupt public officers to the Consolidated Federation Account.
In a motion moved under matters of urgent public importance, House Minority Leader, Leo Ogor said it had became necessary for the House to investigate the allegations made against the EFCC as it was not the best option for the agency to probe the allegation thereby making it a ‘judge in its own case’.
Ogor expressed worry that such a huge amount of money, which according to law should have been remitted over time to the Federation Account, has become an issue of controversy. He stressed the need for a body outside the EFCC to thoroughly investigate the commission's financial transactions with regard to remittances to the Federation Account since 2004.
Speaking on the motion, Edward Pawjok from Plateau State, while citing Section 88-89 of the 1999 Constitution reiterated that it was duty of the House to investigate allegations of wastage, corruption and inefficiency in government even when it could also be probed by other government agencies.
“The House and the public need to know what has happened to these funds because the amount being mentioned is mind-boggling,” Pwajok stated.
On his part, Nicholas Ossai Nicholas added that various media reports indicate that N1.08 trillion had not be paid into the Federation Account as expected.
The House unanimously directed the Committee on Financial Crimes to investigate the matter and submit its findings on a later date.