The Bayelsa State Government has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the commission’s alleged refusal remit back to it, funds recovered from its convicted ex-Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
In a suit now before Justice Ademola Adeniyi of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the state claimed that N1.4billion and another 1.3 million USD were recovered from Alamieyesiegha on his conviction by the Federal High Court, in Lagos.
In a writ of summons issued against EFCC and its Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Lamorde, the state urged the court to among others, declare as corrupt acts, the refusal of the commission to remit back to it, the recovered funds.
It also urged the court to declare that the decision by the EFCC to continue “trading with the funds by way of funds placement/fixed deposits is an act of corruption and an economic crime contrary to sections 6 and 7 of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.
In the suit initiated by its lawyer, Anthony Agbonlahor, the state also asked the court to issue an order to direct the commission to immediately pay the money with the interest which had accrued on them.
Bayelsa asked the court to declare that Lamorde who took part in the investigation and prosecution of Alamieyesiegha should not have allowed the looted funds recovered from the former governor to be traded with.
It urged the court to hold that Lamorde was not qualified to continue in office as chairman of EFCC having violated his oath of office.
The state also asked the court to order EFCC to pay 21 per cent interest on the N1.4 Billion and the $1.3 million from November 1st, 2013 until judgment was delivered by the court.
It further prayed the court to, “direct EFCC to pay to it $400,000.00 being the amount forfeited by its former governor and which funds had since been repatriated by the United States Government to the EFCC.”
A date is yet fixed for the hearing of the case.
The state resorted to the court action following the EFCC’s refusal to honour an earlier request for the funds as contained in a demand letter From the state’s agent, George Uboh of a firm, the Panic Alert Security System.
George Uboh said subsequent to his letter of December 19, 2013 he met with EFCC officials and the commission asked him for a short time to comply.
He said the commission failed to remit the money, following which the state instructed that court action.
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