THE Patriot of Anti-Corruption League, a civil society organization has given the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, a 14-day ultimatum to commence the prosecution of Emmanuel Kachikwu, Dumebi Kachikwu and five others over an allegation of money laundering to the tune of N1billion that involved them sometime in 2016.
Others are, Accelerated Building Technologies Limited, Netlink Technologies Limited, Bukola Olatimbo Ayinde, Dutchess Energy Limited and Ahmed Aminu.
It threatened that it would be left with no option than to sue Magu and the Commission in a court of law to show reasonable cause why a mandamus should not be served on them.
In a petition addressed to the EFCC Chairman and a copy of which was sighted by Elendu Reports, the group wondered why the Commission had not arraigned the Kachikwu brothers and accomplices in a court of law following the investigation carried out on their activities by the agency.
The petition was signed by Kingsley Arthur and Dedekuma Orumbo, Director of Investigation and Media and Publicity of the group respectively.
The group in the petition titled: Re-Investigation Report- First Bank Plc Private Banking Investment Account 2017692160, also sought to know from the Commission, the status of the investigation whether it is still on-going or investigations have been concluded.
It maintained that there were enough evidences to prosecute those being investigated in a court of law for money laundering.
“In your investigation report, it is clearly stated that investigations have established the private account as a conduit and money laundering.
“Mr. Chairman, we are writing to lend our voice of disgust to the delay in bringing these culprits to account. In the fight against corruption in this present administration there should be no sacred cow. These are the words of Mr. President and it is important all people of goodwill should encourage, support and abide by this and stand with Mr. President,” the petition reads
It added that the Vice President’s covering letter dated 20th May, 2016 conveying the EFCC investigation report to the President stated the policy of zero tolerance on corruption no matter who’s involved.
“We request that the persons and companies herein mentioned be arraigned in a competent court of law without further.
“The name Emmanuel Kachikwu was mentioned as a beneficiary in your investigation report without clearly stating if the Emmanuel Kachikwu is the same as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu or an ordinary name coincidence. Mr. Chairman Nigerians need a clarification if there is nexus between the names,” the petitioners demanded.
Our Correspondent gathered that the EFCC in 2016 had during investigations linked a First Bank Private Banking Investment Account 2017692160 to Dumebi Kachikwu and Emmanuel Kachikwu which it said was being used as a conduit for money laundering as against any investment motive.
The agency in its investigation report dated April 13, 2016 addressed to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo revealed that analysis of the Private Banking Investment Account in relation to the accounts of Dumebi Kachikwu, associated companies, Emmanuel Kachikwu and Dutchess Energy Limited.
It added that account officers of the accounts in their statements during interrogation confirmed that over N1billion was transferred from Dutchess Energy to the private bank investment account was not meant for investment , but rather the account was used as a conduit to transfer money to Dumebi Kachikwu, his associate companies: Accelerated Building, Platinum Plus and Emmanuel Kachikwu.
The EFCC in the report sighted by this newspaper said similar payments from other entities were also discovered to have gone through the Investment Account to Dumebi Kachikwu and Emmanuel Kachikwu.
While the Commission remarked that investigation was still ongoing as it wrote letter to the Managing Director of Dutchess Energy to explain the purpose of the payment made by the company, it added that letter was also written to First Bank Plc to explain the ‘consultancy payments’ made to Dumebi and Emmanuel Kachikwu, and why the payments were made through the Private Investment Account rather than making payments directly to the beneficiaries.
