BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – A coalition of Civil Society Organisations under the aegis of “Say No Campaign (SNC)” on Thursday said the mannerism or body language expressed by President Muhammadu Buhari in the face of corruption against certain public officials close to or within his inner circle, belie and betray this noble intent.
The groups also said the reality of seemingly protecting sacred cows, stares Nigerians right in the face thus has become difficult to ignore.
The Coalition, comprising Say No Campaign (SNC); Centre for Transparency and Accountability (CTA); Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC); Protest to Power (P2P); Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA); and Youths Initiative for Advocacy Growth and Advancement (YIAGA), said it is increasingly difficult to dismiss the albeit self-serving criticisms of the corrupt opposition that the anti-corruption fight of this regime is selective and or targeted only at the opposition.
A statement presented by the convener of the Coalition. Ezenwa Nwagwu of the Centre for Transparency and Accountability (CTA), noted that for a president, reputed for having zero tolerance for corruption and famously stating explicitly that “if we do not kill corruption, corruption will kill us”, there has been very disturbing silence over allegations of corruption in critical positions that should have never been overlooked.
Nwagwu specifically noted that the report of the outcome of the investigation headed by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and submitted to President Buhari, on allegations of fraud against the Director General of National Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke, has remained a secret despite the humongous amount of $43million involved in the scam.
According to him; “There has been no word uttered from the presidency on the outcome of the investigation, neither a cause of action initiated, except that Ayo Oke remains suspended, and presumably still earning a salary.
“Similar investigation was carried out on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal, by the vice president led investigation panel. The report was submitted to the president, but the details have also remained hidden. Babachir Lawal was accused by the senate for scamming the government of a whooping N270million in the guise of cutting grass at the Internal Displaced Persons’ camp, in the north-east region of Nigeria.
“It would probably have been better and cheaper if we had just bought the rodent – grass cutters and deployed them to the North East. What remains unclear is why the president instituted an investigation panel to conduct the investigation, and why the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was not directed to handle the cases from the very beginning.
“Regardless of these anomalies, the president maintains an alarming silence. Justice remains delayed and the credibility of the anticorruption fight, led by the president himself, is in jeopardy.”
The Coalition therefore said in the interest of transparency, accountability and Justice, President Buhari should publish the result of the investigation of fraud against the SGF and the DG NIA mandating expedite action by the EFCC and other relevant institutions, and ensuring justice for the people of Nigeria.
It urged President Buhari to desist from interfering in corruption cases but rather provide support to strengthen the existing institutions that will sustain the fight against corruption.
The NGOs said; “EFCC, ICPC and police should take up their constitutional role of investigating offenses and cases of corruption regardless of the position of the public official involved.
“The National Assembly should corroborate the anticorruption fight by expeditiously legislating bills that promote the fight; as well as by ensuring that their oversight role is deployed transparently in the aid of the fight against corruption.
“The judiciary should be positioned and supported to deliver justice without fear or favour. In this regard the executive and legislative arms of government should provide support for the implementation and enforcement of the recent directives of the CJN based on the resolutions and decisions of the NJC.”
