The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied that one of its officials, Abubakar Madaki, extorted N4 million from Abdulhamid Mahmud Zari, a suspect under investigation for alleged money laundering by the Commission, to grant him bail.
The agency was reacting to a publication recently titled, “Businessman Accuses Ibrahim Magu’s Aide of N4m Extortion.”
In a statement by its Head, Media & Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, the commission said that the allegation was made to malign and impugn the reputation of Madaki, an operative whom it praised had handled several high profile investigations without blemish.
It said that what was playing out in select media outlets was the unraveling of a vengeful script by Zari and his cohorts to impugn the integrity of Madaki and bring him to public ridicule.
“It will interest members of the public who may have been misled by the mischievous story to know that Zari has been crossed with Madaki over suspicion that he instigated the investigation leading to his arrest and detention by the Commission.
“Soon after he was released on bail, Zari launched a media offensive against Madaki, accusing him of buying half of the land in his home town, Keffi, for N10 billion. He also claimed that the officer owns two palatial mansions in choice areas of Abuja worth N250 million. In line with the Commission’s stance on professional responsibility by officers and men, the phantom allegations were duly investigated by the Commission and found to be baseless,” the commission stated.
It also accused Zari of engineering the arrest of the officer after he wrote a petition to the Police at Nasarawa Command, alleging that Madaki and his brother had conspired to kill him during the Ramadan of 2017, which led to the detention of Madaki for a day in Lafia.
“The Police have already concluded investigation and the case file sent to the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
Once Zari discovered that Force Headquarters had stepped into the matter, he proceeded to Lafia and again got four members of Madaki’s family arrested including a 76-year-old man, Hashimu Sale, who later died in prison while on remand. He also got his lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, to sue the Commission and Madaki for continuously inviting him,” it stated.
EFCC also said that Zari has re-strategised by bringing up fresh allegations against the officer.
“Now, he would have the world believe that he was extorted N4m to be granted bail in an agency that is not known for collecting money to admit suspects on bail. What makes the allegation more ridiculous is the fact that Madaki is not the officer handling Zari’s investigation. He is not even a member of the team. It therefore beats the imagination how an officer that is not involved in a case would be the one demanding money for the bail of a suspect,” it stated.
It asked: “If Zari is persuaded that he paid bribes to secure bail from the EFCC, he is obliged to take the additional step of stating the time, place and circumstances in which the money was collected from him and by who, together with witnesses to the transaction.
Zari, unfortunately is not acting alone. Intelligence available to the Commission indicates that the invidious publications are sponsored and promoted by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who is currently being investigated by the same officer. The objective is clear, to intimidate Madaki and the EFCC, and prepare the grounds for claims of malice or vindictiveness by the time charges are filed against the suspects in court,” it said.
EFCC however appealed to the media to be more circumspect in offering their platforms to false stories by compromised reporters.
