No need to restructure EFCC – Malami
The NHRC set up a study group that looked into the past elections and came up with results indicting some politicians and INEC officials. What are you doing with that report? We have taken steps to procure a copy of the report and instructed the appropriate investigative agencies to conduct investigations arising from the […]
The NHRC set up a study group that looked into the past elections and came up with results indicting some politicians and INEC officials. What are you doing with that report?
We have taken steps to procure a copy of the report and instructed the appropriate investigative agencies to conduct investigations arising from the judgment and come up with reports on the basis of which we will act. If we are convinced that there exists prima facie case against each individual mentioned in the judgment, we will prosecute.
The president has never been shy of showing his readiness to combat terrorism. Specifically, what is your ministry doing about terrorism?
Our responsibility is that of prosecution. We are fighting terrorism by way of ensuring that laws that are in place are applied accordingly, seeking the collaboration and cooperation of other ministries, departments and agencies of government in terms of ensuring the success of the prosecution as far as terrorism offences are concerned.
What is your position about Niger Delta militancy?
Government has been up and doing in terms of reaching out to the leaders and those that matter in the environment. And in fact, accommodating and accepting to talk with the militants shows that it is an all-inclusive government. We want things to be done properly to ensure lasting peace in the Niger Delta area.
Has the government agreed to swap the Chibok girls with Boko Haram prisoners?
It will be premature for anyone to give you categorical position because the idea of swapping is naturally a bilateral process involving the insurgents and the government. So, without the two coming together to discuss, it will be preemptive for anyone to talk of either swapping or what arrangement should necessarily be on the ground for the purpose of rescuing the Chibok girls.
Several past governors have been prosecuted and yet judgments have not been delivered. What is your ministry doing about this?
The Federal Ministry of Justice has already taken a positive step in that direction and we have directed the prosecuting agencies to make available those files for effective review by the ministry.
The NBA president, at the last NBA conference, said the EFCC should be stripped of its prosecutorial powers. What is your take on this?
As far as I am concerned, whatever will advance the course of this nation in terms of justice sector development, I am in support of it. But as things stand, everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. Our tendency generally is to submit to superior argument. So, it is not a position someone can categorically have a take on but it all depends on the superiority of argument at the end of the day when the need for such revisitation arises. As it is, I take that the president of the NBA has expressed an opinion and it stands as such. It will be premature for me to have a take on it because as far as I am concerned, the way things are going, we are making progress in general terms as it relates to prosecution and other things. I will rather concentrate my energy and resources on making impact as against allowing myself to be distracted in terms of considering the functionality of the institutions and establishments. As they are, they are alive to their responsibilities and I do not have any compelling reason to give immediate consideration to such an opinion. But when the need for such arises, we will look at it, analyse it and then critically take a position that will be beneficial to the nation.