…Investigation will lead to transparency, accountability in financial system – Hon. Esosa Iyawe
By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Identification and Recovery of Public Funds Seized, Forfeited and Abandoned in Financial Institutions and Government Agencies has invited the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU and other anti-corruption organisations over seized and forfeited funds.
The Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee, Hon. Alozie Munching Ikechi made this known during the committee’s inaugural sitting on Monday.
Ikechi said the probe panel can only deal with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of organizations. One Mr. Kingsley Amaku, an Assistant Director with NFIU was not given opportunity to represent the organization as the lawmakers insisted they can only deal with the CEO.
Given a background of the investigation, Hon. Esosa Iyawe:, representing Oredo Federal Constituency of Edo State in an interview told journalists that the probe panel was Inaugurated based on the House resolution on a motion on the need to identify and recover public funds seized, forfeited and abandoned in financial institutions and government agencies in order improve the economy in view of the current challenges.
Hon. Iyawe who is also a member of the ad hoc committee said the probe panel is charged with the responsibility to investigate all the recovered funds from the investigation of the Federal Government agencies, like the Economic and Financial Comes Commission, EFCC, NFIU, ICPC, whistle blowing, Central Bank of Nigeria etc.
He said the investigation is also based on allegation that funds left by diseased bank customers, funds trapped in banks, forfeiture, exhibits , proceed of frauds , terrorism, drugs etc are stacked in places not known and are not accounted to the public.
Earlier, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, who was represented at the event by his Deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu inaugurated the committee. He charged the lawmakers and relevant stakeholders to live up expectations.
The hearing is adjourned to Wednesday.
