The number of people claiming to have blown the whistle on the N13billion found in an empty apartment in Ikoyi has increased to nine, said EFCC allegedly.
Some whistle-blowers, who petitioned the attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Malami, alleged Samaila Muhammed, head of EFCC operations, told them that the number of whistleblowers had increased to nine. The petitioners said the Muhammed’s information was a ploy to short-change them in the payment of their commission.
An excerpt of the petition written by the complaints’ lawyer read:
“Our clients informed us sometime in December 2016 that three (3) of them voluntarily walked into the office of the EFCC at 15A Awolowo Road Ikoyi, Lagos and gave vital information that led to the recovery of over N13 billion at the Ikoyi Towers, Lagos,” the petition read.
“Upon subsequent visit to give a detailed information as required by the commission to raid the tower, they were told if the operation was successful, 5% of the amount recovered will be their take-home within 72 hours of recovery, they were also cautioned that if the information happened to be false, then they will definitely be in trouble which the three mentioned above accepted because they were sure of their facts.
“That when the operation was carried out, it was successful but since then they have not received any commendation by the commission, let alone give any reward as stated even though the EFCC have their names and phone numbers,” the petitioners said.
Based on the government’s whistle-blowing policy, a whistle-blower is entitled to between 2.5 percent and 5 percent of the recovered loot.
In its report, PRNigeria quoted Wilson Uwujaren, a spokesman for the EFCC, as saying that the “right persons” would be paid.
“All will be done to make sure that the right persons are paid accordingly,” Uwujarem reportedly said.
Meanwhile, the petitioners are heading to the court to stop the payment to those they described as wrong persons.
They added that two clear months after the submission of the petition to the AGF, nothing concrete had been done
Discussion about this post