The Times seeks Aziz Rahman’s thoughts following the SFO director’s resignation

With Serious Fraud Office (SFO) Director Nick Ephgrave resigning, The Times asked Aziz Rahman about the agency’s future.

Aziz said that with the government recently announcing a new anti-corruption unit, the SFO may have already been “concerned about any resulting changes to its workload or other bodies treading on its toes”.

With so many SFO cases coming to court this year, Aziz added that “for an agency that spent little time last year in courtrooms, these are likely to be viewed as a swift, unforgiving indicator of the current state of the SFO.’’

He explained that if the agency obtains convictions in most of these, “the plaudits will come raining down’’ and the SFO “will be seen as revised and re-energised. But more losses than wins will revive previous criticisms of SFO failings preventing it getting prosecutions over the line.”

When asked about Nick Ephgrave’s resignation by Law360, Aziz emphasised that the SFO must maintain the momentum it built up under him and ensure “it does not end up going backwards."

The full articles can be read here (subscription required for The Times and Law360)

The Times - Nick Ephgrave’s early exit leaves an uncertain future for SFO

Law360 - Ephgrave's Exit Leaves SFO At A Crossroads

Featured at: The Times