Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers and Advocates (COPA) through its solicitor, Pelumi Olajengbesi have demanded for the immediate investigation of the Minister for mines and steel development, Mr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah over alleged forgery allegation.
This is coming barely 65 days after the group forwarded a letter of petition and investigation on the said allegation to the acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
WITHIN NIGERIA had earlier reported that Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers and Advocates (COPA) through its solicitor, Pelumi Olajengbesi have demanded for the immediate arrest of the minister of state for mines and steel development, Mr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah over alleged forgery case.
In another letter which was made available to WITHIN NIGERIA by the solicitor of the group of lawyers, the group declared that no prosecutorial action has been taken against the Minister of mines and steel development, Mr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah.
The group described the act of no prosecutorial action as quite curious and unsettling as they further stated that there is need for urgent action as it is in the interest of justice and the public to know for sure the character and repetition of persons standing in trust for our common wealth.
The letter reads in full;
19th May, 2020
The Chairman
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
Jabi
Abuja.
Dear Sir,
RE: DEMAND FOR ACTION ON THE FORGERY CASE AGAINST THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINES & STEEL DEVELOPMENT, MR. UCHECHUKWU SAMPSON OGAH IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE
The above subject-matter duly refers.
We continue to act as solicitors to Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers & Advocates (COPA), a pro-transparency, good governance and human rights advocacy group taking the charge in the pursuit of sanity in our economic and political space in the interest of equity and justice.
We refer to our letter dated the 24th day of February 2020, with the above title, to your office, wherein we, on behalf of Our Client, demanded that the petition and investigation of Mr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah for forgery and other financial crimes be revisited and properly addressed. In order not to belabor your good self and in facilitating ease of referral, we hereby annex a copy of the said letter as Annexure A.
Sir, it remains a fact that as of the time of writing this reminder, we have been informed by Our Client that no action has been taken in that regard as no prosecutorial action has been taken against the said Minister.
While it is quite curious and unsettling that several months after the said missive, your office has not carried out any significant step in the process of bringing the alleged culprit within the firm grip of the law, we are seised of Our Clients instructions to remind you of the pending petition and investigation and the need for urgent action as it is in the interest of justice and the public to know for sure the character and reputation of persons standing in trust for our common wealth.
Take Notice that any further delay by your office in taking decisive steps in this matter will be viewed as a calculated attempt to abdicate your statutory responsibility for obvious reasons.
Please be properly guided
Yours faithfully,
FOR: PELUMI OLAJENBESI & CO., {LAW CORRRIDOR}