Kunle Kalejaye 12 April 2017, Sweetcrude, Lagos – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been charged to produce its investigative report on Global Infrastructure Holding Nigeria Limited’s alleged asset-stripping of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd and the sale of the National Iron Ore Mining Company of Nigeria, NIOMCO, in Kogi State and Delta Steel Company in Delta State.
The demand was made by a human rights group, the Advocate for Peoples Rights and Justice, APRJ, under the Freedom of Information Act.
In a letter to the EFCC dated March 30, 2017 obtained by our correspondent, the group’s National Coordinator, Mr. Victor Giwa, asked the anti-graft agency to provide APRJ the copy of its interim report, which allegedly indicted Global Infrastructure Holdings Nigeria Limited, GIHL.
The request is sequel to the indictment of Global Infrastructure by the Federal Government in 2008 by the late President Musa Yar’Adua administration who had ordered the prosecution of the company and its owners and managers.
The Yar’Adua administration had ordered the EFCC to investigate the concession of Ajaokuta, NIOMCO and Delta Steel Company due to the numerous allegations on assets-stripping, vandalism and human rights abuses by GIHL in Itakpe and Ogaminana communities of Kogi State.
But, nine years after, the Federal Government has concession the steel plant to the indicted firm.
The reconcession process was made by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who struck a deal with Global Infrastructure in August 1, 2016 to take over the National Iron Ore Mining Company while the Federal Government reclaimed Ajaokuta Steel Company.
APRJ, an international human rights organisation, in the letter to the anti-graft agency’s Acting Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu,said: “Sir, our organisation has been in the forefront of the promotion of human rights within Nigerian, through right education campaign and citizens’ rights protection through court action, public protest, demonstration and media campaign.
“You will recall that the administration of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua ordered the EFCC to investigate the concession/sale of Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd, National Iron Ore Mining Company of Nigeria and Delta Steel Company due to the plethora of allegations on assets-stripping, vandalism and human rights abuses by GIHL.
“The said interim report of the commission was submitted to the government of the late Yar’Adua and after the review of the report, the late President ordered the criminal prosecution of the promoters of GIHL.
“We are by this letter requesting the following: The copy of the said interim report of the commission and the status of the criminal case against the promoters of GIHL.
“We shall expect this report within seven days from the date of the receipt of this letter.”