The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed reports attributing comments to its counsel, Larry Peters Aso, concerning an alleged 2024 investigation report on the fraud case involving legal practitioner, Dr Ted Iseghoi-Edwards.
The Commission described the reports as misleading, mischievous and a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the reaction of its counsel to the judgment delivered by Justice Suleiman Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in a fundamental rights enforcement suit instituted by Iseghoi-Edwards.
According to an official statement signed by the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the court reportedly cleared Iseghoi-Edwards of allegations of fraud relating to services rendered to the country’s 774 local government councils, while also disagreeing with the Commission over its investigation report on the London-Paris Club refunds.
The EFCC explained that Aso, while reacting to the judgment, merely thanked the judge for his industry in handling the matter and disclosed that the Commission would apply for the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment to study it and determine the necessary steps to take.
It, however, denied claims that its counsel made any reference to a 2024 EFCC report alleging that Iseghoi-Edwards fraudulently obtained judgments after instituting proceedings against the Federal Government in the United States.
The Commission also dismissed reports that Aso admitted that the investigation report was prepared under pressure from higher authorities following the alleged assignment of promissory notes by Iseghoi-Edwards to third parties in the United States, who subsequently threatened to sue the Federal Government.
Describing the allegations as a deliberate character assassination, the EFCC said the purported comments were never made by its counsel and were intended to create the impression that external influences had affected the investigation and court proceedings.
The Commission urged media organisations to verify information and accurately report court proceedings, noting that the record of proceedings of Tuesday, October 20, 2026, when the judgment was delivered, was available for confirmation of Aso’s actual reaction.
It further called on journalists to uphold objectivity and professionalism in reporting judicial matters in the interest of justice.
