Senate to probe Lamorde next Tuesday

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, says the sack of former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde by President Mohammadu Buhari on Monday, would not deter it from proceeding with the planned probe, adding that Tuesday next week has been fixed for his probe.

Speaking with the Punch, the Chairman of the committee, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, yesterday said Lamorde had not escaped the Senate probe despite his removal.

Anyanwu said, “Yes, we are still going ahead with the investigation of allegations of illegal diversion of funds levelled against the former EFCC chairman as contained in the petition before our
committee.

“As a matter of fact, we have invited him to appear before us next week Tuesday. He had been invited in his private capacity and not as the chairman of the EFCC, so, the fact that he is no longer the chairman does not stop us from going ahead with our investigation.”

The committee chairman however did not disclose reasons why his committee postponed the invitation of Lamorde from this week to Tuesday.

The committee had on Monday in a statement released by its clerk, Mr. Freedom Osolo, announced the indefinite postponement of the probe of the former anti-graft agency without giving any reason.

The statement reads, “I regret to inform you that the hearing of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions slated for Tuesday, November 10, 2015, has been postponed for the time being.

“You will be duly informed when the meeting is rescheduled, please. The committee regrets any inconveniences the postponement would have caused you.”