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THE former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, has informed his successor, Mrs. Farida Waziri, that Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde had made available to her, the formal handover note, containing the activities of the agency during his tenure.
THE former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, has informed his successor, Mrs. Farida Waziri, that Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde had made available to her, the formal handover note, containing the activities of the agency during his tenure.
Ribadu, who said this in a response to an invitation letter by Waziri, added that he was unable to meet with the EFCC boss to clarify certain issues on the handover note, as he was rounding off his studies at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.
Lamorde, who was the acting EFCC boss after Ribadu was directed to proceed to the NIPSS course, reportedly handed over to Waziri.
The former EFCC boss said this in a letter dated November 14, addressed to Waziri and was obtained by our correspondents on Monday.
The letter titled-Re: Release of Nuhu Ribadu reads in part, 'I write in response to your letter of 23rd October 2008 requesting my release to meet with the Commission regarding 'several fundamental issues that have arisen and require clarification.
'As you are probably aware, my course at the policy institute is now at its waning phase, and I am in the middle of many of our exit programmes. For this reason, therefore, I regret that, much as I would have loved to meet your team, this is a most inauspicious time for me to make any trip from the institute until the final graduation ceremony on November 22, 2008.
'After our initial phone dialogue two days ago, I have made many unsuccessful efforts at reaching you again to share this view of my reflection on your invitation with you.
'However, in response to your stated desire for a 'formal handover' from me, let me affirm clearly that I have made a formal and proper handing over to the then Acting Executive Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, ACP, way back in January 2008.
'Should you therefore require any assistance in this regard, permit me to recommend that you should first direct such request to Mr. Lamorde, who, in any case, is the person expected to handover to you.
'In saying this however, please be assured also that I remain prepared to offer any assistance in the event that you require further clarity on any matter arising from your briefing. If this is your preferred option, kindly convey such specific requests to me, in writing, to enable me offer a structured response.'
However, the EFCC's spokesperson, Mr. Femi Babafemi confirmed the receipt of the letter, but said that the commission was in doubt about its authenticity.
He said, 'Ribadu had called the EFCC Chairman to reschedule the meeting for Saturday and the meeting was actually at the instance of the Inspector-General of Police. So, we expected him to channel his response through the IG.'