The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to a publication entitled, “How EFCC’s Magu Diverted N702m, 13 Months Salaries of New Operatives”, which appeared in an online news platform, Denisaurus. The publication among others alleged that the Commission failed to pay the entitlements of Cadet Officers who recently completed their training at the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA.
Quoting an unnamed staff of the Commission, the publication stated that “Mr. Magu has refused to pay the officers of DSC7 their entitlements which include; their salary arrears of 13 months under training, which was budgeted for in 2016 and 2017 budget as their date of appointment reads 18th March 2017, their 28 days allowance for being posted to polar regions.”
It also alleged that staff contributions to the Commission’s Cooperative Society was diverted to the construction of the head office building of the Commission, making it impossible for staff members to access their contributions.
Coming from a platform that has become notorious for spreading falsehood about the EFCC, these allegations ought to be ignored by the Commission. However the EFCC is constrained to respond considering that the issues raised touches on the welfare of staff, particularly young officers who are just starting their careers with the Commission.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission wishes to state that there is NO N702milllion that was diverted from the salaries of any group of employees of the Commission. The idea of diversion of salaries of newly recruited cadet officer may well be part of a plot to incite impressionable young officers to mutiny against the Commission’s leadership.
It is important to state that the Commission as a law enforcement agency has established protocols and regulations on the administration of emolument to all cadres of staff.