The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed its next move against those who participated in the budget padding saga.
The agency disclosed that it is currently carrying out preliminary investigation, adding that when the investigation is complete, they would invite the indicted persons.
The EFCC Deputy Director, Operations, Lagos Office, Iliyasu Kwarbai, said this on Monday while addressing a coalition of over 30 civil society organisations that took to the streets of Lagos to protest against the budget padding saga in the lower chambers of the National Assembly.
He said, “We are already in receipt of petitions from some other members of the public and the investigation is being done in Abuja. When petitions are received, we look at them, make some analyses, and commence investigation.
“We do what we call preliminary investigation without inviting the accused persons. We carry out some investigations and gather some facts to ascertain the truthfulness of that petition. When we find them culpable, then, we go into inviting the accused persons.
“What we are doing is to look at the case since we have already received some of the petitions; our men are already on the ground, carrying out very thorough investigations. So don’t be in doubt; the EFCC cannot be cowed. Anybody involved in corruption, no matter how highly placed, we don’t cover any person at all.
“Once we receive your petition, once it is being investigated, once you are indicted, definitely, we go into inviting you. Definitely, whoever is involved in the issue of budget padding will never go free.”