*Sets up National Prosecution Coordination committee

President Buhari

President Muhammadu  Buhari said today that he does not interfere in the work of the anti-graft agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the ICPC.

He said this today at the inauguration of a 20 man National Prosecution Coordination Committee, headed by the Attorney-general of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

The committee will  handle high-profile criminal cases in Nigeria, including corruption and terrorism.

Buhari recalled that he had allowed the various anti-corruption agencies to work with full independence, adding that he would not ask any of such organisations to go after any person or spare another.

“When you look at the way that the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies have acted in recent time you will notice that they are not under any kind of direction or influence of the President.

“They are given the independence to act; they are given the authority and backing to act on their own and to use their own discretion appropriately at all times.

“You don’t get any situation where the president says `go and look for that person or back off that person.’’

Buhari, who was represented by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo during the inauguration of the committee at the Presidential Villa, on Friday, in Abuja, expressed his administration’s commitment to tackle corruption, other economic crimes and terrorism.

He, however, urged the committee members to resist external influence and discharge their responsibility with fairness.

Buhari pledged to support the committee to function effectively and urged the members to live above board..

“Given the nature of economic crimes and the enormity sometimes of the money that is involved and the influence of those who may have to be prosecuted, you need more than legal skills.

“You need men and women of strong character and courage who will not only be able to turn down inducement of any kind but also act without consideration for tribe, friendship, religion or any other parochial considerations,’’ the president said.