Is Ibrahim Lamorde Hunted For Toyin Saraki Questioning ?

Nigeria is a country full of non-stop Drama and Shocks. If not so how can one explain the present case of EFCC which can be termed as the "Hunter being Haunted". Nigerians were joyous and elated when the supposedly
dead EFCC suddenly resuscitated and arrested several high profile politicians who were having a looting field day in the previous administration. Such was the zeal by Ibrahim Lamorde's team that you could argue and vouch he wasn't the same person in charge all these years when the EFCC was on verge of collapse. What ever reason for the resuscitation is not as important as the impact and effectiveness of their new found capability to discharge their duties.

Suddenly, there was an invitation for the wife of the Senate President (Bukola Saraki) Mrs Toyin Saraki to appear before it. This is in connection to fraud perpetrated while she was still the First Lady of Kwara State 2003-2011. If the EFCC had not encountered a tough opponen, the trial of Mrs Saraki was the opposite . While it could be termed as 'Witch-Hunting' given that Bukola Saraki is at odds with several influential members of his Party (APC) due to his illegitimate or legitimate occupation of the Senate Presidency depending on whose side you are. The issue at hand is that Mrs Saraki must be tried just like the others and political excuses and witch hunting theories laid to rest, because as they say 'The innocent fears no accusation.'

What makes matters more exciting is the sudden emergency of Mr George Uba (CEO of Panic Alert Security System), who has alleged several financial crimes committed by the EFCC under the watch of Mr Ibrahim Lamorde. This is written in a petition which Uba addressed to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition. There is confusion why Uba did not raise the issue all these years until after Mrs Saraki was invited for questioning ? There is a rumour of a conspiracy between Uba and the Senate President Bukola Saraki to frustrate the EFCC and render them weak as was the case in 2007 under Nuhu Ribadu , where the likes of James Ibori transferred him and appointed Mrs Farida Waziri to do their bidding.

Uba alleges that Lamorde diverted more than #2 trillion that it recovered from ex-public officials to his private purse. Uba gave a breakdown of the diverted discovered fund which includes Deawoo Nigeria Limited #208m, Zakhem Construction Limited #401m,  Wapco- #311m to mention but a few.

The good news is that Democracy in Nigeria needs such cases to grow and thrive, but that shouldn't stop the arrest of suspected financial crime defaulters by the EFCC . While it is commendable to focus on the case before the senate, the cases before Ibrahim Lamorde shouldn't be halted rather he should be left to conclude the cases he has started before he faces his own case at the senate . If the senate goes on to try Lamorde( or charge him to court) now that  he is actively discharging his duties, then it is setting a bad precedence to other captains of government institutions . While Lamorde cannot be said to be innocent yet, he should not be pulled down now that he is active . Whatever case against him must be attended to but only after he finishes discharging his duties at a stipulated time. Lamorde must face justice at the right time, but the timing has to be right. One only commends such people as George Uba for bringing to light such evil by the EFCC, if it is proved beyond reasonable doubts, but that should not stop the anti corruption war .