Why we invited Mu’azu - EFCC

Lanre Adewole, Abuja - 18.07.2008

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday said it was true that it invited former Governor Ahmadu Mu’azu of Bauchi State to respond to allegations made against him in a case file inherited by the present leadership of the commission.

According to a statement by the Head, Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr. Femi Babafemi, the invitation was extended to Alhaji Mu’azu following a discovery by the committee set up by the chairperson of the commission, Mrs. Farida Waziri.

According to the statement, the committee was to scrutinise all cases with a view to ensuring that no stone was left unturned in a renewed bid to fight all forms of economic and financial crimes in the country.

The statement said the committee discovered from the case file on the former governor that he was never, at any time, interrogated in a case where grievous allegations were made against him.

“In view of the commission’s belief in one of the rules of natural justice which says the other side in a matter must be heard before drawing conclusion, the commission’s leadership decided to invite Alhaji Mu’azu to react to the allegations against him,” the statement said.