Corruption: Coalition Demands Prosecution of Ex-SGF, Others

 

 

A coalition of civil society groups led by maverick artist, Charly Boy, has demanded the prosecution of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and other senior officials investigated for corruption.

 

The group which held a sit-out at the unity fountain, Maitama, Abuja on Tuesday frowned on President Muhammadu Buhari’s perceived inaction against top officials indicted for corruption by the investigative agencies.

 

The coalition included #Our Mumu Don Do Movement led by Charly Boy, Concerned Nigerians headed by Deji Adeyanju, Coalition in Defence Of Nigerian Democracy convened by Ariyo Atoye, Campaign For Democracy chaired by Baku Usman and MAD Connect coordinated by Moses Paul.

 

Addressing journalists during the protest,  Adeyanju said they were on the streets to ask the President pertinent questions about the seriousness and sincerity of his anti-graft war.

 

He queried the alleged failure of the FG in prosecuting the suspended Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mr. Ayo Oke over the $43m found in the Osborne Apartments in Lagos.

 

Adeyanju also wondered why the government was not probing the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru over the  $26bn contracts allegedly awarded by him without following due process.

 

He said, “President Buhari once ordered the raiding of the homes of judges suspected to be tainted with corruption and also directed the handcuffing and dragging to court of alleged corrupt members of the opposition, we demand similar treatment for the suspended SGF, Babachir Lawal and other top government officials.”

 

The activist observed that over the course of the last 29 months, several allegations of corruption, mismanagement of public funds and outright looting of the national treasury had surfaced against several top officials of government “but President Buhari has not wielded the big stick against any of them as anticipated by most Nigerians.”

 

On his part,  Atoye urged the Senate not to approve the $5.5bn foreign loan request made by the FG  unless he demonstrated genuine commitment to fight corruption within his government.

“There is no basis for the $5.5bn foreign loan request, if corruption has not been fought to a standstill. The President Buhari also needs to tell Nigerians how the loan would be repaid,” he added.

 

The Convener, Campaign for Democracy, Bako Usman, asked Buhari to quit the office if he could not take action against alleged corrupt members of his cabinet.

 

“You (Buhari) said you will fight corruption and Nigerians voted you on the basis of that promise; Quit office if you cannot prosecute your allegedly corrupt friends. It means you are also corrupt,” he said.

 

Charly Boy maintained that the group would not back down on its call for the President to act or quit office if he cannot fight corruption.