Nigeria sacks Economic and Financial Crimes Commissioner

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed from office the country’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chair, Mrs. Farida Waziri, according to information reaching ghanabusinessnews.com.

According to today’s edition of the Nigerian Daily Trust, which reported the sack, former Director of Operations, Ibrahim Lamorde is to take over in acting capacity.

No immediate reasons have however been given so far for the unexpected decision.

The publication cited a terse statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati as having announced the decision.

“President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the appointment of Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde as the Acting Chairman/Chief Executive of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The appointment takes immediate effect, and effectively relieves Mrs. Farida Waziri of her position as EFCC Chairman,” Daily Trust quoted the text of the statement.

Mrs. Waziri was appointed EFCC Chairman by Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on May 18, 2008 and confirmed by the Senate on May 27, 2008.

According to the publication, Mr. Lamorde, an officer of the Nigeria Police, was, until this appointment the Director of Operations of the EFCC. He was also Acting Chairman of the EFCC before Mrs. Waziri assumed duty at the Commission.

By Pascal Kelvin Kudiabor