A sensational story published by Sahara Reporters and entitled “EFCC Prosecutor Steps Down Amid Pressure to Compromise High-Profile Fraud Case Against International Fraudster Jesam Michael” is, to say the least, totally fabricated, unprofessional, and in bad taste.
As an anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) places a high premium on the integrity of its operations and workforce. One of its prosecutors, Geraldine Ofulue, who was part of the team handling the case of Jesam Michael, CEO of Afriq Arbitrage System (AAS) Limited, recently resigned her appointment with the Commission. To avoid a vacuum and ensure diligent prosecution of the case, another prosecutor, Emenike Mgbemele, who is also a call mate of Ofulue, was assigned to continue the prosecution accordingly.
As a prosecutor, Ofulue handled Michael’s case with meticulous attention to detail. Working under the guidance and supervision of her uncompromising superiors, she diligently followed every process filed (together with her team) before the court, with no pressure or compromise of any form. She presented nine witnesses and tendered several exhibits admitted by the court.
The succeeding prosecutor, Mgbemele, barely picked up from where she stopped, taking every development in the case in stride. So far, the only matter in which Mgbemele has appeared relates to the first defendant’s fourth application for bail, which he opposed in line with the position of the Commission.
He relied on the same processes filed by Ofulue in vehemently opposing the fourth application for bail by the first defendant, Jesam. It is noteworthy that Ofulue had filed the counter-affidavit and written submissions opposing Jesam’s fourth bail application before her voluntary exit from the Commission for other engagements. Mgbemele neither added to nor subtracted from what Ofulue filed, except to adopt the processes in court, argue the case, and urge the court to refuse bail to Jesam, who was considered a flight risk. There is no basis for insinuation or blackmail in this matter.
The EFCC, therefore, finds the claim that a “Prosecutor Steps Down Amid Pressure to Compromise High-Profile Fraud Case Against International Fraudster Jesam Michael” preposterous and irresponsible. The question is: who was pressuring Ofulue in this matter? Why should an officer’s resignation from the EFCC to pursue other engagements be construed as “stepping down”? What Mgbemele did was exactly what Ofulue would have done in the circumstances.
Michael and his firm, Afriq Arbitrage System (AAS) Limited, allegedly defrauded more than 50,000 investors in a transnational Ponzi scheme of disturbing proportions. The Commission’s efforts to bring him to justice and dismantle his fraudulent operations should be applauded by all well-meaning news portals. While the EFCC will not be deterred in the pursuit of its mandate, it will not hesitate to take appropriate legal action against any entity, organisation, or individual employing blackmail or deliberate misrepresentation to attack it or any of its officers.
