Abba Kyari Didn’t Influence Oyo-Ita’s Probe Over N3b Scam – EFCC

The Economic Crimes and Financial Crimes Commission has denied
that its recent investigation into how the Head of Service,
Winifred Oyo-Ita, allegedly got embroiled in a contract fraud to
the tune of N3 billion, was not triggered by pressure from the
Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari

The Commission said in a statement on Monday by its Spokesman,
Wilson Uwujaren, that the probe of Oyo-Ita was prompted by
intelligence at its disposal.

The commission said that its probes are often evidence-based and
not prompted by powerful government officials as the anti-graft
agency, which is independent, carries out its assignment without
fear or favour.

Wilson explained that the attempt to link the probe to Abba
Kyari was the handiwork of mischief- makers and should be ignored
by right-thinking Nigerians.

The statement said: “The attention of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to reports by a section of
the media, insinuating that the ongoing investigation of the Head
of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita by the
Commission was instigated by the Chief of Staff to the President,
Alhaji Abba Kyari.

“The Commission wishes to state that there is no truth in these
claims, and urges the general public to disregard the reports as
the handiwork of mischief-makers.

“For the avoidance of doubt, an investigation by the EFCC is
evidence-based. Most often, they are triggered by petitions or
intelligence. In the case of the HoS, Oyo- Ita’s investigation, it
was prompted by intelligence received by the Commission.

“The EFCC is an independent agency created by law to fight
corruption without fear or favour. In the discharge of its mandate,
the Commission does not take instructions from extraneous bodies
neither will it lend itself to be used to settle scores by
anyone.

“The Commission again wishes to appeal to the media to be
circumspect in their reportage and not lend themselves to actions
that could befuddle the activities of the commission,” the
spokesman said