The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, is now investigating the Local Organizing Committee of the U-17 World Cup, a source close to the commission said yesterday. The State Security Service is also probing the activities of the committee as well.
A source from the crime commission told NEXT that the they will be depending on reports from the security service since �they turn in any reports they have to us because we are the ones who have the capacity to prosecute financial crimes�.
When contacted, the EFCC spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a phone interview said he could not comment on the activities of the State Security Service as this might tamper with their investigations.
When asked if the service has turned in any report so far, he insisted that he could not comment on their report.
Nigeria�s Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan, had on November 16 called for the probe of the LOC following series of allegations over its handling of the N12billion allocated for the tournament.
The EFCC however stated they have received no orders from the presidency to probe the local organising committee and that they did not need any formal invitation to step in.
The committee on its part had said it welcomed the idea of being probed and it was not afraid of the search light. A statement by the organising committee said it �Supports the planned probe of the finances of the LOC for two basic reasons: it is consistent with the Yar�Adua administration�s transparency policy; and it will enable every actor in the organisation of the tournament, particularly committee chairmen who have been unfairly portrayed as looters of our national treasury, to defend their good names.�
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