EFCC is currently investigating about 20 Senators over N367.5bn 'fraud'

Following the information received, about 20 Senators are under the investigation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged N367.5 billion fraud.  while a document revealed that about 11 of the senators are from the North while the others are from the South.

The Nation states that, about 7 of the affected lawmakers are on trial - some of the cases are said to be as old as 10 years.

A Senator is said to be on the list for alleged stamp duty infractions.

The report claimed that about 2 senators, who are outside the list, are being investigated for their alleged involvement in the N19 billion and $86 million London-Paris Club refund in which seven governors have been implicated as well.

According to the newspaper report, most of the N367.5 billion alleged fraud border on money laundering, misappropriation, executed contracts, diversion of public funds to campaigns, and others.

The EFCC source states that the case files of all these senators involved are already with us. About 7 of them are already on trial.

The EFCC source also said that it is certain that about 11 these senators will be prosecuted at the appropriate time. Because some agencies in the international jurisdictions are interested in some of the cases against some of the senators.

Meanwhile, some of these cases predated the appointment of the present Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu. But since continuity is a cardinal principle of the EFCC, Magu has decided to ensure that the matters in court are pursued to logical conclusion. There is also no waiver for all cases undergoing investigation that involves these senators.

However, the Senators have also made a "strong case for the discontinuation of either their investigation or prosecution by the EFCC as part of the conditions for supporting  Magu.

A senator from the North-East said he committed no crime to have been subjected to trial by the EFCC.

While another Senator from the North-Central was aggrieved, he was reported to have said: ‘I won’t block the nomination of Magu because he is probing me. I have forgiven him. But I know I did not commit any fraud and I will be vindicated in the end."

The Senate has twice rejected the nomination of Magu as the substantive Chairman of the anti-graft agency based on a report by the Department of State Service (DSS) which discredited Magu.

The Presidency has, however, refused to resubmit Magu's name to the Senate for confirmation, stating that the upper chamber's approval was not required in the first place.

The matter has now been taken to the Supreme Court to determine Magu's fate. But before then, The EFCC source clarified that "Magu has no personal problem with any senator. Because most of the case was his inheritance when he assumed.