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Dariye Replies EFCC, Alleges Vendetta
From Isa Abdulsalami, Jos
THE Plateau State Governor Joshua Dariye, has replied the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) saying that its actions and activities smack of vendetta and sheer blackmail.
Besides, the governor has instituted a case in the Federal High Court Jos, urging the court to declare that EFCC with regard to sections 308, 180 and 185 of the 1999 Constitution does not have power to summon him, nor does the court in Kaduna have power to order his arrest.
Apart from the EFCC, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police are also joined in the suit, which comes up on December 15.
Mr. Justice P.E. Archibong of the Federal High Court, Jos will hear the case.
A statement by the Plateau State Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Press and Public Affairs, Mr. Ezekiel Dalyop said the counter charges by EFCC were calculated to malign the character of the governor.
"Having failed to stop the governor from assuming power through constitutional means, the commission has pursued its penchant for vendetta by adopting unconstitutional means to launch its bizarre legal battle," the statement added.
It further said that while the governor did not want to join issues on matters that are before the court," the questionable manner under which the issue has been executed smacks of hidden agenda to destabilise Plateau State."
According to the statement, "if the EFCC has difficulty in ascertaining details about special accounts lodged through sundry clients, the due process could be employed in getting the necessary information."
"We are appalled and worried by a process where the accused is only aware of his charges through the media. Since the commission wanted to use the media to achieve the purpose of its psychological war by addressing a press conference, it behoves us to draw attention to the following issues:
- The commission through its action is bent on destablising the state by hunting top government officials without establishing any criminal verdict against them;
- The commission slammed a label of corruption on government officials without verifying from the end users whether such funds are connected to any case of diversion - payment of N250 million to Clinical Nigeria Limited is part of the instalment from the N900 million turn-around project which has been well-acclaimed by the people of Plateau State;
- The commission has gone ahead to play the role of a judge in its own case without recourse to the law, declaring the accused guilty before any verdict is established.
- The hurried manner in which the case was instituted at the Kaduna High Court portends a desperate move to frustrate genuine appeals to reason and conscience thereby wanting to stampede their prey into submission by act of terror and intimidation;
- The sweeping condemnation of provisions of the constitution and of the callous attempt to use Plateau State as a test case only signifies a storm in a tea cup. This is a strange fire that can engulf the nation.
- This administration has nothing to hide as details of our financial transactions are available to those who want to cross-check them.
- The executive governor of Plateau State is not reckless and irresponsible as projected by the commission. Being a respected chartered accountant, his profile leaves no one in doubt as to his ability to manage the affairs of the state.
"We have a responsibility to declare to the people who elected us that their mandate cannot be toyed with and that we are responsible, accountable and focussed.
"We are loyal to the leadership of this country. Any effort to overheat the polity will not support the growth and stability of democracy. We call on our people to discard such infamous insinuations and concentrate on those noble objectives that can help reposition the state.
"We thank all lovers of peace for believing in our course," the statement added.
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