Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has strongly refuted reports suggesting that one of its prosecutors stepped down due to pressure to compromise the ongoing fraud trial involving Jesam Michael, Chief Executive Officer of Afriq Arbitrage System (AAS) Limited.
Reacting to a publication by Sahara Reporters titled “EFCC Prosecutor Steps Down Amid Pressure To Compromise High-Profile Fraud Case Against International Fraudster Jesam Michael,” the anti-graft agency described the story as misleading, unprofessional and baseless.
According to the EFCC, the report is “totally fabricated, unprofessional and in bad taste,” insisting that there has been no compromise or external interference in the handling of the case.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to integrity and transparency, stressing that it places “high premium on the integrity of its operations and workforce.”
It explained that one of its prosecutors, Geraldine Ofulue, who was part of the legal team handling the case, recently resigned from the Commission to pursue other professional engagements.
“To avoid vacuum and ensure diligent prosecution of the case, another prosecutor, Emenike Mgbemele who is also a call mate to Ofulue was assigned the continuation of prosecution of the case accordingly,” the EFCC stated.
The Commission disclosed that Ofulue prosecuted the case thoroughly and professionally under the supervision of senior officers.
“As a prosecutor, Ofulue handled Michael’s case with a fine tooth comb… she followed every process filed (together with her team) before the court diligently, with no pressure or compromise of any form,” the EFCC said.
It added that she presented nine witnesses and tendered several exhibits, all of which were admitted by the court.
On her successor, the EFCC clarified that Mgbemele simply continued from where Ofulue stopped without altering any aspect of the case.
“So far, the only matter that came up in which Mgbemele appeared was in relation to the 1st defendant’s 4th application for bail which he opposed in line with the position of the Commission,” the agency noted.
The EFCC explained that Mgbemele relied entirely on documents already filed by Ofulue.
“Mgbemele neither added nor subtracted anything… except to adopt the processes in court, argue the case and urged the court to refuse bail to Jesam as he was considered to be a flight risk,” it said.
It also pointed out that Ofulue had already filed the counter-affidavit and written submissions against the bail application before leaving the Commission.
“There was no basis for insinuation or blackmail in this matter,” the statement added.
The Commission described Sahara Reporters’ allegation as “preposterous and irresponsible,” questioning the credibility of the report.
“The question is: who was pressuring Ofulue in this matter? Why will an officer’s resignation from the EFCC to pursue other engagements be construed as ‘stepping down’?” the EFCC asked.
It maintained that Mgbemele acted exactly as Ofulue would have under the same circumstances.
The EFCC further restated that Jesam Michael and his company, Afriq Arbitrage System (AAS) Limited, allegedly defrauded more than 50,000 investors through a transnational Ponzi scheme.
“Michael and his firm… defrauded more than 50,000 investors in a trans-national ponzi scheme of disturbing proportion,” the agency said.
It called on media organisations to support efforts aimed at bringing financial criminals to justice.
“The Commission’s efforts to bring him to book and break all his shenanigans should be applauded by all well-meaning news portal,” it added.
While reaffirming its determination to pursue its mandate without intimidation, the EFCC warned that it would not tolerate deliberate misinformation.
“The EFCC will not be deterred in the pursuit of its mandate, and it will not hesitate to take appropriate legal actions against any entity, organisation or individual employing blackmail and deliberate misrepresentation,” the Commission concluded.
