The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has explained its on-going investigation of retired Justice Gladys Olotu formerly of the Federal High Court, Abuja and two other judges of the court. The EFCC said it was investigating the three judges over allegation that they were involved in unethical conduct, including maintaining various bank accounts and investment interests in business while still in public service. One of the other two judges serves in Abuja. The other is in the Lagos Division.
The commission said its investigation was upon a petition by a group, Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), in which Justice Olotu was also accused of maintaining an offshore account with First Bank (United Kingdom) and was alleged worth over N2billion in cash and investments.
These formed part of averments contained in a counter-affidavit dated April 1, 2014 filed by the EFCC in reaction to a fundamental rights enforcement suit instituted against it and 17 others by Justice Olotu before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Justice Olotu, who was retired earlier this year by President Goodluck Jonathan for “gross misconduct and upon the recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC)”, sued after she was invited by the EFCC in the course of its investigation.
The commission denied allegation by the retired judge that it was being instigated by the NJC and other defendants in the case. It also denied abusing Justice Olotu’s fundamental human rights, as alleged, and stated that it was within its statutory powers to investigate and prosecute economic and financial crimes.
An EFCC official, Habufari Yahaya, who deposed to the affidavit, said “in the course of investigation, certain issues arose for further clarifications, which had to do with documents and the applicant (Justice Olotu) therefore requested for time to bring them and she was obliged”.
The EFCC stated that Justice Olotu is, by her suit, seeking “the protection of the courts from investigation”. It argued that the retired judge cannot “use the instruments of the law to shield herself from being investigated.”
It prayed the court to dismiss the suit as it relates to it (EFCC) with cost, on the ground that it was “unmeritorious and speculative”.
Justice Olotu is seeking, among others, to restrain the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), the State Security Service (SSS), the police and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) from further inviting or quizzing her.
She averred, in a supporting affidavit, that the NJC and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN), were instigating the various security agencies against her for daring to challenge her compulsory retirement in a separate suit.
theelites
No comments:
Post a Comment