Lawyer sues EFCC over N76bn Abuja CCTV project

A lawyer, Mr. Olugbenga Adeyemi, has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before a Federal High Court, Abuja, over the commission's failure to investigate the execution of the N76bn Abuja Closed Circuit Television contract.

The lawyer had filed the suit seeking an order of mandamus to compel the EFCC to probe the alleged fraud in the project and prosecute those involved in it.

Adeyemi had alleged 'financial misappropriation and impropriety' in executing the project which he said was poorly done.

The contract was awarded by the Federal Government shortly after the bombing incident in Abuja in 2011.

As the first requirement to apply for an order of mandamus, the lawyer had filed an ex parte application seeking the court's leave to proceed with the suit.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola, in a ruling on Tuesday, granted the leave to 'apply for the judicial review of mandamus compelling the 1st respondent to investigate and prosecute' those involved in the contract.

Adeyemi, is through his suit, seeking order compelling the EFCC to investigate and prosecute the Attorney General of the Federation, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the Nigeria Communication Commission.

Others are ZTE Corporation (the Chinese firm awarded the contract) and Nigeria Communication Satelite. They are all listed as 2nd to 8th defendants.

Adeyemi hinged his application on the ground that the 2nd to 8th respondents 'have squandered a whooping sum of N76m due to their actions and inactions on a comatose project of installation of Abuja CCTV.'

The case was adjourned till July 1 for hearing