Sunday, 19 May 2013
EFCC Lamorde Explains Why Big Thieves Evade Conviction For Corruption-PREMIUM TIMES
Ibrahim Lamorde
By Ini Ekott
EFCC’s Lamorde explains why big thieves evade conviction. Nigeria’s biggest fraudsters- mostly ex-governors and politicians-well known for evading justice, do so using their huge loots to lengthen cases filed against them, often repeating trips to the Supreme Court, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Lamorde said.
Mr. Lamorde rendered a frustrating narrative of the nation’s anti-corruption war on Thursday to the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes as he defended the commission’s budget.
Hardly offering unfamiliar details, the remarks again put on the spotlight the paradox of the nation’s anti-corruption war, which often punishes the lowly- somehow for lacking the resources to stage a good fight- while the mighty go free with their plunder.
This year alone, Mr. Lamorde said, over 200 convictions have been recorded. But nearly all involved the relatively low-scale pilferers, the 419 scammers, the Yahoo Yahoo boys and dubious bank officials.
But when it comes to multi-billion naira fraudsters, the stolen resources have been deployed to delay justice, with minor injunctions frequenting the Supreme Court.
“The truth is no case has been concluded,” the EFCC chairman said. “I don’t think it is correct to say that whether the charges framed are not properly done or the prosecution is not putting the case properly.”
“We have example of a case we charge to court in 2006; for this very case, we have gone to the Supreme Court twice on just interlocutory applications. They will file this, the judge will overrule them, they will go to Court of Appeal and lose there but they will still go to the Supreme Court,” he added.
When such cases are lost, he continued, the Supreme Court orders it be returned to the trial judge for continuation, then a fresh application will suddenly emerge anew.
“They will come with another application and certainly for lawyers among us we know how long it takes for a trial to go to Court of Appeal and get listed, then go to the Supreme Court get it listed and decided upon. This is the fate of most of the cases we have in court,” he said.
In the commission’s nearly-a-decade history, only a handful of high profile convictions have been recorded.
Several cases involving top politicians, accused of stealing public funds, have lingered for years after an initial public fanfare. Many of such cases, filed as early as 2005, remain unresolved, with some of the indicted officials still roaming the country as kingmakers, lawmakers, and political gladiators.
The EFCC in the past has blamed the law courts for the delays, clamouring for special anti-corruption courts to speed the process.
To block the frustration, Mr. Lamorde said the commission’s priority now is to forfeit the assets of the accused, to freeze the resources that would have been deployed in prolonging cases.
“The first thing we do now is that we try to recover and confiscate the assets of individuals that we are investigating because it is only when you deprive them of their resources that you will be able to force them to stand trial,” he said.
“Once they have access to their resources and asset, they will use it to continue to delay and drag some of these trials.”
Poor funding
Mr. Lamorde also presented a budget proposal of over N21 billion to the lawmakers.
The breakdown of the proposed budget shows that Capital Expenditure is N11 billion; Personnel Cost,N6 billion; and Overhead Cost, N3 billion.
Mr. Lamorde pointed out that the commission’s proposal of N21 billion against the N9.3 billion approved by the Budget Office of the Federation leaves a gap of N11.3 billion which could impact adversely on the operation of the agency.
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If GEJ leads by example...(2)
Submitted by Elmango Meat (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 22:14.
Look around; the Senate, Presidency, National Agencies, Ministers, Governors, commissioners, Chairmen and councillors of local Government, tell me if you CANNOT count how many of them are truly God-Fearing and live within their means.
I personally believe that PDP as a National party, even in theory, has the ability and clout to effect revolutionary changes in fighting corruption. However, too many of their members are enmeshed in the occult, mind- boggling and sickening corruption that without INSTALLING and INSTILLING a sound leadership with moral strength of steel, and a collective change of heart, or Nigerians force them, nothing will move the corruption tree that has been flourishing since IBB sanctioned it. This is my thinking.
If GEJ leads by example..
Submitted by Elmango Meat (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 22:09.
1. If Jonathan leads by example and declares his asset publicly instead of being forced in the past by YarAdua or doing so in the CLOSET this time around, then the people under him will think twice before stealing from the commonwealth. Can he afford the political and criminal windfall?
2. As most of you have opined, our judiciary is fit for the dump. Until we have a self - disciplined and honest judiciary guided by a licit AGF, EFCC will continue to be ineffectual. A bloated agency that continues to parasitize on our economy. Hear - "Mr. Lamorde pointed out that the commission’s proposal of N21 billion against the N9.3 billion approved by the Budget Office of the Federation leaves a gap of N11.3 billion which could impact adversely on the operation of the agency."
THOSE WHO OBSTRUCT SPECIAL ANTI-CORRUPTION COURTS
Submitted by osita DIOKA (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 17:23.
The present Nigerian justice dispensation system is not fit for purpose when it comes to matters of corruption and embezzlement of public funds.The mantra is STEAL ENOUGH SO THAT YOU CAN BRIBE THE JUDICIARY,and it works very much like that.Our judiciary is far from being independent or incorruptible many members of the Nigerian Bench are millionaires without explanation,they flaunt illicit wealth and send their wards to the most expensive schools abroad.
The major obstacles to enacting laws to curb the dysfunctional system is the Legislators of the upper and lower houses,THEY HAVE FOUND IT DANGEROUS TO ESTABLISH SPECIAL COURTS TO EXPEDITE ACTION ON CORRUPTION CASES BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID OF FALLING INTO THE TRAP THEMSELVES,THEY ARE HEAVILY CORRUPT AND CANNOT EXPLAIN THEIR WEALTH TOO.SO THIS MESS WILL NOT END TILL A CLEAN-UP HAPPENS.
NIGERIAN JUDICIARY IS A SHAM
Submitted by Kkunle (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 16:25.
CJN Alooma Mukhtar will you write your name in gold or allow all these shambles to continue? The types of nonsense we see in Nigerian courts don't happen in societies where the rule of law prevail. You lot in the legal profession (with the exception of a notable few) are mere scam merchants. If the profession of the so called learned(idiotic)friends is unable to run smoothly and earn it's right as the third estate of the realm it is a great shame. It is time to reform the legal system in a way that criminals no matter their profile in society are swiftly and seriously dealt with. It is the only way our society can return to sanity. The conduct of most Idiots in authority in Nigeria is simply condemning the country to oblivion unless the citizens can rise up and chase you crazy bastards and bitches out of town.
EFCC...
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 15:19.
EFCC asking for 21billion to chase NOTHING???? WHY would a sane govt budget 21 billion just to prosecute yahoo / lil bankers only???? ECFF OR EFCC HAS PASSED ITS SELL BY DATE???? SO WONDER WHATS D FUNDING IS FOR......I THINK THEY SHOULD B WORKING ON COMMISSION THAT WAY THE MORE U PROSECUTE SUCCESSFULLY THE MORE YOU CAN THEN BUDGET 4....SHIKENA
Resign
Submitted by pastoramakor (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 14:29.
Resign if you are worth your salt. Your lamentation moves no one.
LET THE LAWMAKERS SET UP MINIMUM YEAR
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 14:28.
If the lawmakers want to clean corruption in the country, let them set up a tribunal. The minimum year this tribunal will give should not be less than 500 years for anybody who is convicted. However, they cannot do this because all of them will go to prison.
WHY CAN'T THE LAWMAKERS SET UP A TRIBUNAL TO TRIAL
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 14:11.
Why can't the lawmakers set up a tribunal to try the rogues without appeal from the tribunal? Becauae they and the Attornel General are armed robbers and thieves.I can't find any one of them that is not a thief.If they can prove me wrong, let them call a press conference to defend my proved facts. Judges and police are as worse as Babangida and attorney general, they are all thieves.
EFCC HAS BEEN BOUGHT BY THEM
Submitted by Ette (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 14:07.
Imagine EFCC maing excuse for the vampires who are killing innoccent Nigerians daily due to their wicked corruption level. EFCC is even bold enough to tell Nigerians that the big rogues have settled them with the stolen money. What a pity. Was Balogun, former IG not prosecuted and convicted? Bode George also. So what is this corrupt Lamorde saying. Shame.
EFCC, Corruption and Due Process
Submitted by Affey (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 14:04.
Lamorde is lying with the two sides of his mouth. He wants to prosecute the looters. At the same time he cannot prosecute them. Was EFCC not created to bypass the process in the first place?
If Lamorde wants to sound like a law-abiding officer, then he should go and work in the ministry or in the courts.
The truth is that Lamorde is rejoicing inwardly that all those hiccups are there. He believes that his critics will excuse him for the slow process of catching and jailing the looters.
The truth is that EFCC is part of the corrupt edifice. He is revealing the secrets to would-be future looters. Lamorde cannot prosecute his friends.
EFCC Lamorde Explains
Submitted by Steve Osasuyi (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 13:30.
This man is a failure.
THE FAILURE OF POLITICAL LEADERSHIP
Submitted by Justice Emeka Obi (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 13:16.
A courageous and discipline Judicial System is never found in a society that is being run by a roguish Political Leadership! A crooked government does not produce a disciplined
judiciary.
corruption is highly infectious! once the leadership is corrupt, the entire governmental institutions would be influenced to behave in like manner.
Therefore, the failure of Nigeria's judicial System today, is a reflection of the nation's political leadership behaviour!
Something good finally from Nigeria
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 12:06.
www.160bits.com is a big plus for Nigeria. I love that website, honestly. Lets all be part of the reporting and inform each other about what is happening anywhere, anyday. Thanks to the developers of that site.
Wetin dis ole dey do here?
Submitted by igwe of of nigeria (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 11:47.
Wetin dis ole dey do here?
Haba Larmorde!!
Submitted by Iornongu (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 10:57.
You ma dey go complain to thieves how you are unable to fight them? No bi dem dem dey frustrate EFCC efforts?
Anyway, make you no worry about the N11.3 Billion gap in your budget, the same thieving politicians and bankers will take care of that for you and your boys. Abi no bi so?
Mr Lamorde, if you cannot
Submitted by pee (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 10:48.
Mr Lamorde, if you cannot chase the big time thieves, hold a press conference, express your frustrations by giving instances and put in your resignation letter.I share your sense of frustration though but it is not enough. Ribadu may be accused of selective treatment of corruption cases, but at least he passionately pursued his targets. What legacy will Larmode leave?
We dont need excuses. We need
Submitted by NSG (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 10:32.
We dont need excuses. We need results.
Division NOW...
Submitted by Oleku (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 10:11.
We have all heard from the so called EFCC boss and it's indeed a shame to be a Nigerian. I'm a Biafran and will forever be no matter the forceful imposure to remain a naija by the Yorubas. If Lamorde could admit openly why the are no convictions neither will they ever be convictions then it means we're in trouble. Why then are we deceiving ourselves to be one naijas. If every Jack and Jill can dodge conviction after plundering the oil resources of SE and SS so why won't we divide the shit country. Its obvious some people are enriching themselves why those who have the resources at their backyard are impoverished and neglected. For how long shall we continue like this. For how long shall we continue to be slaves to naija. Time for everyone to bear his father's name. When it comes to oil them be naija but when its anything else I be oduduwa while him na arewa-that's naija for u. To hell with one nigeria. Divide we must. Animals
kill all all of them
Submitted by BUHARI (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 08:41.
let the EFCC BOSS be sent to China to learn how they dispense their justice.PERIOD.
DAMAGES BY RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL LEADERS!
Submitted by Sanusi A. Yar'adua (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 08:12.
Nigeria becomes pry for the infinite monetary and power hunting by religious and political leaders. Corruption and killings have become the agenda of the authority whereby many Nigerians question the whereabout of the authoritative responsibilities of the rulers. Religious leaders are not teaching their followers the right things instead instigating and inciting them to cause troubles while they(religious leaders) are busy collecting money and contracts from politicians. Politicians are taking advantage of poverty and religious savagery of Nigerians to promote corruption and killings. That is why poverty will never leave Nigerians as religious madness will also remain.
Can you believe this?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 07:53.
Who said nothing good can come out of Nigeria? I didnt believe that Nigerians can build something as big as twitter, thank God for the developers of www.160bits.com . What are you waiting for? Let us meet there now.
This site is very awesome
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 07:45.
Friends, I want to say a special Thank you to the developers of www.160bits.com because that site is awesome for passing information about every state and city in Nigeria. You have to check what is happening there and participate, God bless Nigeria.
Corrupt leaders
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 06:49.
Nigeria system of government not ready to fight corruption in the society. You can figth corrupt leaders that put you in the post. More entertainment news and gist and new around the globe here www.gistyinka.com
EFCC is inherently a scam on Nigeria
Submitted by Ayo (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 06:06.
The only thing efcc is good for is SCRAPPING! Where are all the billions that Lamorde claims have been "recovered"? At a time when govt can't adequately fund education,healthcare, security and other sensitive sectors, for efcc to demand 21 Billion from tax payers money is the height of the very crime they purport to fight - SCAM!. How can efcc explain the lavish lifestyle of its staff?
Then scrap the efcc and let
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 05:00.
Then scrap the efcc and let corruption fester. Why waste scarce resouces on an institution that is designed to fail? In other words the judiciary budget is up by additional N21b? Of course that is what it boils down to since all these huge funds are spent on the judiciary. What a country? And the president and the nass do not want to create a special court for efcc and icpc to expedite prosecutions? It will be like a class, mass suicide. Then we can live with corruption and move on with our lives.
EFCC:SEPARATE COURT URGENTLY REQUIRED
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 04:57.
NIGERIA IS RULED BY THE CORRUPT LEADERS AND PRESIDED OVER BY A CORRUPT LEADER.OTHERWISE WHY HAVE THEY REFUSED TO ESTABLISH A SEPARATE COURT TO SPEED UP TRIALS OF THOSE SUSPECTED OF CONVERTING PUBLIC FUNDS TO PERSONAL USE. PRESIDENT JONATHAN WAS DECEIVING HIMSELF WHEN HE SAID DURING HIS INTERVIEW THAT HIS ADMINISTRATION IS FIGHTING CORRUPTION, IF THE MAN CHARGED WITH THE FIGHT IS MAKING A PUBLIC DECLARATION OF NO FIGHT AND IF ANY IT WAS AGAINST THE SMALL FISHES. MADAM WAZIRI DEMANDED FOR A SEPARATE COURT AND WAS NOT GIVEN. NOW LARMODE IS ASKING FOR SAME AND WILL NOT BE GIVEN. HOW THEN WILL THE FIGHT SUCCEED ?.THE CORRUPT JUDGES AND LAWYERS ARE NOT HELPING MATTERS EITHER. TIME HAS COME FOR THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO SPONSOR A BILL ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL COURT IF THEY ARE THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE AS THEY CLAIM.
bogus budget
Submitted by Galaxy David (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 03:51.
Nuhu Ribadu conducted the affairs of the EFCC with a very low budget and performed creditably.
Mr Lamorde should resign if he is been frustrated by the courts. The big thieves are actually what the EFCC is set for. Go after them or resign. Nigerians and the international community will donate money to the EFCC if they will live up to the expectations of Nigerians.
bogus budget
Submitted by Galaxy David (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 03:50.
Nuhu Ribadu conducted the affairs of the EFCC with a very low budget and performed creditably.
Mr Lamorde should resign if he is been frustrated by the courts. The big thieves are actually what the EFCC is set for. Go after them or resign. Nigerians will and the international community will donate money to the EFCC if they will live up to the expectations of Nigerians.
bogus budget
Submitted by Galaxy David (not verified) on November 23, 2012 - 03:49.
Nuhu Ribadu conducted the affairs of the EFCC with a very low budget and performed creditably.
Mr Lamorde should resign if he is been frustrated by the courts. The big thieves are actually what the EFCC is set for. Go after them or resign. Nigerians will and the international community will donate money to the EFCC if they will live up to the expectations of Nigerians.
