Kogi State government has demanded an apology from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for “embarrassing” the state by dragging it to court over a N20 billion bailout fund.
The commission had on Friday told the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos that it was no longer interested in pursuing the case after the state government had given its commitment to return the money to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, made the government’s position known at the presentation of awards to senior journalists that participated in the GYB Essay Competition for Nigeria’s Political and Crime Editors, which took place in Lagos.
The commissioner said it was unfortunate that the commission ignored thorough explanations by the state government on the matter but chose to heed allegations from what he described as “hired guns.”
Fanwo further said it was unfortunate that the Commission chose to believe allegations that the state government fixed N19 billion out of the money in a new generation bank, urged EFCC to exhibit professionalism in its affairs.
The commissioner, while noting that details of the judgement was yet to be received, said the state government would address the media after receiving such.
It would be recalled that EFCC withdrew the suit seeking the forfeiture of N20billion bailout funds granted to the Kogi State government by a new generation bank.
The money, which was meant for the payment of Kogi workers, was alleged to have been domiciled in an interest-yielding account with the bank by officials of the state government.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of tge Federal High Court, Lagos granted the order of withdrawal on Friday sequel to a motion filed and argued by EFCC counsel, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), leading Mr Rotimi Oyedepo.
Pinheiro listed six grounds upon which the judge granted the prayer, adding that “the EFCC is a responsible body.”
One of the grounds was that questions resulting in the commencement of the suit had been clarified, and an intention had been shown to return the sum of N19,333,333,333.36 to the CBN.
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