EFCC probes 8 judges, 2 registrars for corruption

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is currently investigating eight judges and two court registrars for corruption.

The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement on Thursday that the investigation involving the eight judges and two registrars had got to an advanced stage.
Uwujaren said that some of the judges and registrars who had cases to answer would soon appear in court even though he did not give a specific date.
According to him, some of the suspects who were invited made useful statements which aided the ongoing investigation.
He explained that only one out of the seven judges recently arrested by the Department of State Service was among those being probed by the commission.
He added that the investigation had already got to its conclusive stage when one of the suspects got an order from the Federal High Court to halt the process.
Uwujaren said that the EFCC was still working to vacate the order in order continue with the investigation without hindrance.
He said that it was not the pattern in financial crimes investigation to commence immediate arrest, prosecution and conviction after receiving a petition.
“Further, it must be stated that of the seven judges who are subject of the DSS raids, only one of them previously featured in a petition on alleged corruption to the EFCC.
“Investigation into the petition had reached an advanced stage, when one of the judges got a Federal High Court order to stop further investigation by the Commission. The EFCC is still trying to vacate that order for the investigation to proceed unfettered.
“However, Nigerians deserve to know that the nature of professional investigation of financial crimes is highly discrete and not given to theatre.
“The subject usually does not know the Commission is amassing evidences against him or her for several months before the strike.
“Therefore, the notion that a petition is submitted today and the next things that follow are instant arrests, prosecution and convictions is highly misleading.
“In this regard, the EFCC is currently investigating eight judges and two court registrars. Some of the suspects who have been invited have made useful statements that have been of great assistance to the investigations.
“In due course, those who have cases to answer would be arrested and charged to court,” he said.

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