Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman after indicating that the incumbent Ibrahim Lamorde will not have his contract renewed when it expires next month.
Former president Dr Goodluck Jonathan had appointed Mr Lamorde on
November 23, 2011 to replace Farida Waziri and his appointment was later
confirmed by the senate on February 15, 2012. EFCC chairmen are
appointed for four year tenures and it is believed that the decision to
appoint another chairman at the expiration of Mr Lamorde’s tenure was
taken because of the lull in the commission's activities over recent
years.
One presidency source said: “The impression is that the commission under Lamorde has been sleeping since. Their recent publicised activities are seen as just ways of impressing the president and Buhari cannot be fooled.”
He added, however, that it was not clear yet who the president is considering to take over from Mr Lamorde. According to reports, Mr Lamorde is currently being investigated over allegations of diversion of over N1tn (£3.2bn) from the sale of confiscated properties belonging to convicted public officials, including former Bayelsa State governor Diepreye Alamieyesiegha and a former inspector-general of police, Tafa Balogun, among many others.
Apparently, the decision to probe Mr Lamorde was said to have been taken after one George Uboh appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions on August 23, where he alleged that he dipped his hands into the said funds. However, the government official said President Buhari did not necessarily have to order a probe as the Senate was already investigating the matter.
“The president does not need to order a probe of what is already a subject of the senate’s investigation. Since the man is leaving office next month, it is natural that politics of succession would have started and that may be responsible for the reports."
When the EFCC was created in 2003, Mr Lamorde was made director of operations under the pioneer chairman, Nuhu Ribadu. In December 2007 when Ribadu was removed by President Umaru Yar’Adua, Mr Lamorde took over as acting chairman in January 2008, holding this position until Mrs Waziri was appointed chairperson in May 2008.
One presidency source said: “The impression is that the commission under Lamorde has been sleeping since. Their recent publicised activities are seen as just ways of impressing the president and Buhari cannot be fooled.”
He added, however, that it was not clear yet who the president is considering to take over from Mr Lamorde. According to reports, Mr Lamorde is currently being investigated over allegations of diversion of over N1tn (£3.2bn) from the sale of confiscated properties belonging to convicted public officials, including former Bayelsa State governor Diepreye Alamieyesiegha and a former inspector-general of police, Tafa Balogun, among many others.
Apparently, the decision to probe Mr Lamorde was said to have been taken after one George Uboh appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions on August 23, where he alleged that he dipped his hands into the said funds. However, the government official said President Buhari did not necessarily have to order a probe as the Senate was already investigating the matter.
“The president does not need to order a probe of what is already a subject of the senate’s investigation. Since the man is leaving office next month, it is natural that politics of succession would have started and that may be responsible for the reports."
When the EFCC was created in 2003, Mr Lamorde was made director of operations under the pioneer chairman, Nuhu Ribadu. In December 2007 when Ribadu was removed by President Umaru Yar’Adua, Mr Lamorde took over as acting chairman in January 2008, holding this position until Mrs Waziri was appointed chairperson in May 2008.
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