Editor
The Federal Government has commenced an investigation into bank accounts belonging to Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Reps Femi Gbajabiamila and other principal officers of the National Assembly.
The probe conducted by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) would also investigate accounts owned by Nigeria judges including the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad.
Many may find this curious, especially when the 2019 electoral fate of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the head of government, will be decided by the country’s Supreme Court in the coming weeks.
A letter dated Sept. 10, 2019, and signed by NFIU Associate Director, Analysis and Compliance, Fehintola Salisu, stated that the Chief Compliance Officers of banks were directed to release the account details of all legislators and judiciary officials in the country.
The Financial Intelligence agency further asked the banks to provide account names, numbers and transaction details of the top civil servants.
NFIU listed judges and national assembly members but failed to list anything member of the executive arm of government for the same investigation.
The letter with reference: NFIU/ACCFT/ACCOBANKS/VOL.I/877/PO5IA29 reads: “Request for information on: All accounts of: the National Assembly, National Judicial Council (NJC), all the members of the National Assembly, principal officers (management) of the National Assembly Service Commission, (and) of principal officers of the judiciary.
