Stop DSS from investigating corruption, financial crimes, says Falana SAN

Activist-lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has advised the Federal
Government to restrain the Directorate of State Service (SSS) from
corruption Investigation.

Falana gave the advice yesterday in his review of the
reorganisation of the anti-graft agencies by the government.

He advised that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related
Offences Commission (ICPC ) should take over all cases of official
corruption while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) should limit its activities to money laundering, cyber
crimes, advanced fee fraud and other economic and financial
crimes.

“With the new development, the Presidency should, as a matter of
urgency, ensure that each of the anti graft agencies is made to
henceforth operate within its statutory core mandate.

“If the federal government is prepared to reclaim the initiative
it must insist on regular inter agency collaboration on the part of
the anti graft agencies”, he counselled.

Falana commended the appointment of Prof. Bolaji Owasanye as
Chaormn of of the ICPC and Chief Okoi Obono-Obla to handle recovery
of public property.

“By appointing Professor Bolaji Owasanye, the Executive
Secretary of the Presidential Advisory Council Against Corruption,
as the chairman of the ICPC and Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, the
Presidential Adviser on Prosecution as the Chairman of the
Presidential Panel on Recovery of Public Property who are both men
of proven integrity, the federal government has demonstrated its
determination to refocus, restrategise and rejig the anti
corruption programme which has almost been hijacked by the forces
of corruption and impunity in the country”, he noted.

While commending the National Assembly for passing the Whistle
Blowers Bill, he advised the legislature to pass the remaining anti
corruption bills including the bill for the establishment of an
anti corruption court.

He recalled suggesting the reorganisation of the other anti
graft agencies following the change in the leadership of the EFCC
in November 2016.

Activist-lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has advised the Federal
Government to restrain the Directorate of State Service (SSS) from
corruption Investigation.

Falana gave the advice yesterday in his review of the
reorganisation of the anti-graft agencies by the government.

He advised that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related
Offences Commission (ICPC ) should take over all cases of official
corruption while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) should limit its activities to money laundering, cyber
crimes, advanced fee fraud and other economic and financial
crimes.

“With the new development, the Presidency should, as a matter of
urgency, ensure that each of the anti graft agencies is made to
henceforth operate within its statutory core mandate.

“If the federal government is prepared to reclaim the initiative
it must insist on regular inter agency collaboration on the part of
the anti graft agencies”, he counselled.

Falana commended the appointment of Prof. Bolaji Owasanye as
Chaormn of of the ICPC and Chief Okoi Obono-Obla to handle recovery
of public property.

“By appointing Professor Bolaji Owasanye, the Executive
Secretary of the Presidential Advisory Council Against Corruption,
as the chairman of the ICPC and Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, the
Presidential Adviser on Prosecution as the Chairman of the
Presidential Panel on Recovery of Public Property who are both men
of proven integrity, the federal government has demonstrated its
determination to refocus, restrategise and rejig the anti
corruption programme which has almost been hijacked by the forces
of corruption and impunity in the country”, he noted.

While commending the National Assembly for passing the Whistle
Blowers Bill, he advised the legislature to pass the remaining anti
corruption bills including the bill for the establishment of an
anti corruption court.

He recalled suggesting the reorganisation of the other anti
graft agencies following the change in the leadership of the EFCC
in November 2016.