Nigeria Govt gives Salami panel more powers, to extend its probe to ministries, others

The Presidential Investigative Committee on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC led by Justice Isa Ayo Salami has been granted judicial powers to now operate in line with Section 1 of the Tribunals Inquiry Act (CAP T21,LFN, 2004), The Nation reports.

Also a report is expected to be submitted in 45 days as the presidency has already approved public sittings.

The Panel at the moment is probing the suspended Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu.

With the more powers, the panel will now investigate cases including the one involving former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Others ones to be looked into include the $9.6billion judgment against Nigeria by Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID); complaints by the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) in London; among others.

Also, the panel will investigate the controversial activities of ministries, departments and agencies, for their alleged non-compliance with presidential and ministerial directives; non-compliance with court orders; and non-compliance with procurement and financial management laws.

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The former EFCC Secretary, Emmanuel Adegboyega Aremo is among the latest known figure to appear at the panel. 

Aremo made it clear that while he was in office between 2013 and 2018, no asset/forfeited property was sold.

He further explained that only a building was released to the Voice of Nigeria (VON) and that rent was paid to the agency.