… says suspects handed over to EFCC
By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA- THE Federal Government, yesterday, said it will treat fraudulent mines officers in the
Ministry of Mines and Steel Development for economic sabotage if found culpable.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Mohammed Abass, while decrying the criminal attitude of some officers in the Ministry.

The statement reads in part: “The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has reiterated its commitment and determination to plug all revenue leakages and improve revenue generation from the mining sector.

“The assurance came against the back drop of criminal activities of some officials of the ministry which was uncovered recently by the underground taskforce team set up by the ministry for that purpose.

“It warns that criminal activities bordering on revenue diversion, under-payment, under-assessment and under- reporting will be treated as economic sabotage and perpetrators would be visited with the full weight of the law.”

According to the statement some officers have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for further interrogation and investigation.

“The suspects have now been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.

“To this end, the ministry has issued a stern warning to all concerned, especially perpetrators of illegal mining activities and their collaborators, within the industry and outside, that acts capable of jeopardizing the economic diversification efforts of Government will be met with stiff penalties.

“In this respect, the Ministry is working closely with the relevant security agencies to fish out fraudulent elements within its workforce”, it concluded.