Buhari sacked me because I wanted to investigate looters in APC — Special investigator

The disengaged special investigator to the Special Presidential Investigation Panel on recovery of Public Property (SPIP), Victor Uwajeh, has alleged that his recent removal was because he had suggested some names of All Progressives Congress, APC members ‘who are high looters’ for proper investigation. 

The London based private investigator in a statement on Tuesday alleged that his refusal to act on the courier document sent to him from Nigeria by the government which comprises of some names perceived to be enemies of the current administration was responsible for his disengagement. 

Uwajeh mentioned some serving Senators, including Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike, Senator Jonah Jang, Patience Jonathan, Femi Fani- Kayode amongst  list given to him to investigate.

Uwajeh, a private investigator and former consultant to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was recently employed by Okoi Obono Obla led presidential panel but was disengaged about a month later.

According to the statement: “It was the procedure of the Panel to courier documents to me from Nigeria for despatch to various agencies in the United Kingdom and worldwide. 

Soon after I realised that the Panel has a mindset towards certain individuals and groups by the documents it sent to me.

Documents sent to me from Abuja to despatch to the Serious Fraud Office and Home Office, Metropolitan Police, FBI and EUROPOL had the names of the following senators: Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Sen. Albert Bassey Akpan and Sen. Stella Adaese Oduah.”

Uwajeh revealed that he had suggested some names of All Progressives Congress, APC members “who are high looters that I recommended for proper investigation but it was turned down.

“This raised a red flag and as a professional I made my complaint immediately and made my position known to Okoi Obono Obla to transmit to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.

“I told him that I will not be a party to one sided investigation to muscle in the opposition and persecute them. I made my position known that I am ready to expose corruption and recover stolen assets as a professional but will not be involved in the politics of “PULL THEM DOWN” in Nigeria.

“My refusal to dance to the tune of the Government and SIPP led to my disengagement.

“After meeting in London on 18th April, 2018 with some officials during the CHOGM, it was evident that I will not bulge in my position not to go against the ethics of my profession by investigating only the opposition.

“As soon as they arrived Nigeria on the 23rd April, 2018 they drafted a letter to disengage me. They kept the letter and wanted me to change my mind but I refused. On the 27th April, 2018, they sent me a backdated letter of disengagement dated 23rd April 2018.

“In the said letter it was alleged that I had a criminal allegation against me pending in court as the reason for my disengagement which is laughable.” 

Uwajeh said any right-thinking person should question why it took the government a full month to know that he had a case in court.

Meanwhile Obono Obla has denied the allegation, stressing that there was not time that Uwajeh was instructed to go after opposition politicians

“I engaged him as my Special Assistant to assist me in my capacity as the Chairman of the Special Panel for Recovery or Public property tract down stolen wealth kept in UK. It was subject to signing of an MOU . But shortly after he was appointed it was discovered that he has issues with the Police which he did not disclosed at the time of his engagement. It developed into a controversy so I had to withdraw his engagement. There was not time that he was instructed to go after opposition politicians,” he noted in a text message.