Anti-graft agency denies involvement in arms deal fraud

The EFCC says report alleging that some of its senior officials are linked with arms procurement fraud was false.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Wilson Uwujaren, Head, Media and Publicity of the Commission and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday.

``The attention of the EFCC has been drawn to a report entitled DSS Nabs Member of Presidential C’ttee on Arms Procurement over alleged fraud regarding the arrest of retired Air Commodore Umar Muhammed for alleged fraud.

``The report quoting anonymous sources alleged that Muhammed who is a member of the Arms Procurement Committee is fronting for some members of the committee, including high ranking officials in the EFCC and ONSA.

``The report falls short of naming the so-called officials that Muhammed is allegedly fronting for’’, it stated.

It said ``it is common knowledge that Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, is the only member of the Arms Procurement Committee from the commission.

``The EFCC views with grave concern this spirited attempt to create doubts in the minds of less discerning Nigerians and members of the international community regarding the integrity of the Acting Chairman.

``To all intents and purposes, this devious report is another avenue of corruption fighting back as some people have been uncomfortable with the uncompromising stance of the acting chairman in the fight against corruption.

``The EFCC wishes to categorically state that no official of the agency that is directly or remotely connected with the work of the arms procurement committee has had any dealing that verge on fraud’’, it added.

According to the statement, EFCC as a body that upholds zero tolerance for corruption will not condone any act that amounts to corruption.

``If Muhammed is established to have engaged in any illegal activity, he should be held liable.

``In view of the gravity of the issues, the EFCC calls on the presidency to set up a high-powered panel of inquiry to verify the claims of the report.

``No matter the distraction and attempt by dark forces to derail its work through negative propaganda, the commission will continue to discharge its mandate’’, it said.