N1trn Probe: No One Can Arrest Me Until… – Former EFCC Chairman, Lamorde

The former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde, has said that the warrant of arrest issued him by the Senate is invalid until theCourt of law decides on his case.

He made this known on Thursday in statement by his Lawyer, Festus Keyamo asking the Police and other law enforcement agencies to disregard the Senate order for his arrest.

Lamorde stated that it was unconstitutional for the Senate to deliberate a matter that was still in Court. He said that he would appear before the Senate or any of its Committees if the court decides against him.

The statement reads in part: “Both the Senate and the Committee were served with the Originating Summons and a Motion seeking an Interlocutory Injunction restraining the Senate from continuing with their investigations pending the determination of the suit.

“The processes were served on them on 20th November, 2015, but since then, they have refused, ignored and failed to file any process in defence of the suit. In any event, the Senate Standing Rules are clear to the effect that matters pending before a court of law should not be deliberated upon or discussed on the floor of the Senate or any of its Committee

“Whilst there is no restriction on the powers of a court of law to issue a Warrant of Arrest against anybody who fails to honour its Summons, the Senate’s own rules forbid it to do anything in respect of matters that are pending in a court of law.

“The conducts of the Senate and the Committee amount to legislative rascality as they seek to usurp the powers of the judiciary and to undermine its authority.”

It will be recalled that a petitioner, George Uboh, had accused Mr. Lamorde of diverting about N1 trillion proceeds of corruption recovered by the agency, prompting a Senate committee to commence an investigation.

Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions consequently invited Lamorde to appear before the House to answer questions on the alleged diverted N1 trillion which the failed to acknowledge.

On November 19, Mr. Lamorde instituted a legal action at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking an interpretation of the powers of the Senate with respect to investigations.