ONSA official writes Malami, accuses EFCC of witch-haunt, vendetta

Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Brigadier General Jafaru Mohammed, has declared that his trial for alleged conspiracy, stealing and money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is personal vendetta.

He described his ordeal in the hands of the commission’s lead investigating team, CSP Sanusi Allyu Mohammed as “witch-haunt and personal vendetta.”

Jafaru, who works with National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno (rtd.) in a petition against EFCC’s Mohammed dated May 6, 2021 and addressed to the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami requested a review of the investigation of the case against him by a different team.

Titled: Petition Against CSP Sanusi Aliyu Mohammed And His Team At The EFCC, Jafaru chronicled his travails in the hands of the EFCC official following the sack of its former Chairman, Ibrahim Magu.

He noted that the development did not only cause him his promotion in the Army, but also led to subjecting his immediate family to harassment.

“It was brought to my attention last year that Magu, had initiated an investigation against me for alleged conspiracy, stealing and money laundering to which I responded on June 18, 2020.

“I understand there were other reports, which have not been made available to me till this day to enable me to respond adequately, but following an invitation, I presented myself to the EFCC, in my belief in the constitutional presumption of innocence and the right to fair hearing,” the petition reads in part.

Jafaru explained that contrary to his expectations and cooperation with the EFCC operatives, “it became clear that my case is a subject of witch-hunting, personal vendetta and a pawn in a complex web of power game orchestrated by Magu through CSP Mohammed of the Kano Command of EFCC.

“I believe that the investigation was part of Magu’s attempt to square up with his perceived enemies in government and has continued to influence his former members of staff in the EFCC after his removal from office.”

He further stated that notwithstanding the sensitive nature of his office, he presented myself to the EFCC for two days before and was interrogated by a five-man team of operatives for over 13 hours on each day.

“But unable to substantiate their claim against me and in order to find justification to embarrass and harass me, CSP Mohammed and his team conducted an unauthorised search of my residence and in the process, violated my right to privacy and dignity,” he added.

He said copies of the petition were sent to the Secretary to the Governmemnt of the Federation (SGF), Chief of Staff (COS) to the President, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff and Inspector General of the Police (IGP), among others, insisting that nothing incriminating was found after series of investigations by CPS Sanusi.