The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Sunday, said the commission would soon make public the identities of Nigerians indicted in the bribery allegation rocking the American oil firm, Wilbros Group.
Ribadu, who spoke in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja, however, hinted that some officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the Peoples Democratic Party and the Presidency were allegedly involved in the over $6m dollar bribe by a former executive of Wilbros international.
It would be recalled that last week the commission had written to the United States government for details on the matter to aid their investigation.
He said, �The commission has just started the process and I can assure you that we have done a thorough investigation. When we are through, we would make it public.
�However, we cannot talk of the details of the investigation now even though the identities of those involved from the Nigerian side are known to us.�
The anti-graft boss said there were some legal matters that needed to be resolved before such details would be made public adding that the commission was also bound by a legal mutual assistance, which required confidentiality.
Ribadu said, �It is not something you make public at this stage because in the issues of mutual legal assistance, you require confidentiality in addressing it. We can make it public, if we are permitted after meeting the request.
�It is an incidence that took place in the US , and it is being investigated by the American agencies, as well. So, we have to respect that mutual understanding; but, note that we are fully on top of the situation.�
He said until the commission gets the go-ahead, they cannot make it open.
�They have sent a request to us for proper investigation on the matter. So we are investigating and if we make it open at this stage it will be against the tenet of mutual legal assistance to nations,� he added.
Meanwhile, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, has said he would be going to the USA this week to get the details of the matter.
He, however, did not specify when exactly he would be going.
Nov192007