Senate probe: Lamorde ‘ill’, flown abroad

Former chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde has been flown abroad over an undisclosed ailment, Daily Trust gathered.
There were reports yesterday that Lamorde who was sacked penultimate Tuesday by President Muhammadu Buhari has gone overseas.
Our correspondent reports that Lamorde who is being probed by the Senate following a petition written by one Mr. George Uboh over an alleged diversion of N1trillion recovered stolen funds was supposed to appear before the Senate yesterday but he was represented by his lawyer Barrister Festus Keyamo.
Lamorde has been invited thrice by the Senate Ethics, Privileges and Public petitions committee which is investigating him but he has not honoured  their invitation.
Speaking yesterday, the Chairman of the committee, Samuel Anyanwu insisted that Lamorde must appear before them to defend the allegation levelled against him by the petitioner.
He said for the past three months, the former EFCC boss has been evading their invitation.
“This is not a law Court. We invited him as a person not as EFCC boss. The petition has been written to us against him and thrice we have written to him, inviting him to come and defend himself,” he said.
He said since the Senate is not a Court of law, Barrister Keyamo cannot represent Lamorde.
“Bring him on the 24th of this month. We wish him well but come with him on Tuesday,” he said.
Also, Senator Donald O. Alasoadura (APC, Ondo Central) said he was surprised that Lamorde who was inviting people as EFCC boss would be dodging the Senate.
Also speaking, Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi West) said Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution empowers the Senate to question Lamorde.
In his defence, Keyamo said Lamorde did not disrespect  the Senate, saying,”it is clearly lack of understanding.  When he was invited, he was invited as chairman and between now and then, things have changed.
“It was as a result of that thought, that he felt he could no longer stand here. He travelled abroad for medicals. The Senate does not have power over private person,” he said.