Burglars ransack Office of Nigeria`s anti-crime agency

[Richard Akindele]

Lagos, Nigeria, 07/16 - An operational office of Nigeria`s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the capital city of Abuja has been burgled by unknown persons and vital documents on the case of a prominent Nigerian stolen, EFCC said in a statement.

"Copies of some highly-classified documents relating to a very sensitive matter that EFCC is looking into have been obtained by unknown persons, who broke into one of the commission`s operational offices in Abuja last Wednesday," EFCC spokesman Osita Nwajah confirmed in a statement issued here Saturday.

"It is believed that there is insider conspiracy and collaboration in the criminal act, and EFCC, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, will leave no stone unturned in fishing out and bringing the culprits to book," the statement said.

EFCC, set up by President Olusegun Obasanjo as part of his anti- graft fight, has recently been investigating cases involving several prominent Nigerians, including telecommunications mogul Mike Adenuga and former military administrator of Lagos state, Mohammed Buba Marwa.

Several state governors are also under the searchlight of the much-feared agency.

EFCC boss Nuhu Ribadu has said the commission will bar corrupt politicians from contesting for offices during the 2007 general elections.

[Richard Akindele]

Facts emerged last night that the unknown persons that burgled the operational office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja carted away vital documents.

Among the materials taken were "highly classified documents" of "a prominent Nigerian" under investigation.

Meanwhile, at least four officers of the commission have been arrested in connection with the burglary.

The officers are currently under-going interrogation at an undisclosed location.

The break into the EFCC office occurred on a day the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved that a bill seeking to amend the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 2004, to give the commission more powers of arrest of suspects, inlcluding powers to search without warrant be forwarded to the National Assembly.

THISDAY gathered that "a prominent Nigerian" is being suspected to be the brain behind the buglarly, a development which was confirmed by the commission. EFCC however did not name the "prominent Nigerian."

EFCC's Head, Media & Publicity, Mr. Osita Nwajah, in a statement made available to THISDAY stated that there was a strong suspicion of "insider conspiracy in the criminal act."

He however pledged that the commission was working with the police to fish out the culprits adding that all the "originals" of the documents stolen were still safe in "a secured location."

The three-paragraph statement, with the caption: EFCC Operational Annex Burgled, read: "Copies of some highly classified documents relating to a very sensitive matter that EFCC is looking into has been obtained by unknown persons who broke into one of the commission's operational offices in Abuja, last Wednesday.

"It is believed that there is insider conspiracy and collaboration in the criminal act and EFCC in collaboration with the Nigeria police, will leave no stone unturned in fishing out and bringing the culprits to book."

This Day.