President Buhari is undermining the fight against corruption - CSOs

President Buhari is undermining the fight against corruption - CSOs

- A coalition of Civil Society Organisations has expressed concern about the fight against corruption by the present administration

- The group also disclosed its plans to hold a protest tagged 'accountability walk' on Saturday, December 9

- They are also set to launch a radio programme called #Dorocorruption to sensitize the masses on the issues of corruption

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has expressed concern about the fight against corruption by the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The CSOs made their thoughts known during a press conference on Thursday, October 19, in Abuja.

The groups include; Say No Campaign, Centre for Transparency and Accountability, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Protest to Power, Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa and Youths Initiative for Advocacy Growth and Advancement.

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“While the desire of the current regime to fight corruption is unequivocally stated, the mannerism or body language expressed by the chief executive in the face of corruption against certain public officials close to or within his inner circle, belie and betray this noble intent.

“The reality of seemingly protecting sacred cows stares us right in the face and thus has become difficult to ignore. It is increasingly difficult to dismiss the albeit self-serving criticism of the corrupt opposition that the anti-corruption fight of this regime is selective and or targeted only at the opposition.

“For a president , reputed for having zero tolerance for corruption and famously stating explicitly that “if we don't 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,” the CSOs said.

They hailed the recent directive by the Chief Justice of Nigeria that special courts should be designated for corruption cases.

“We welcome and commend this initiative of the CJN as well as the setting up of monitoring mechanisms to monitor, evaluate and report on the progress of corruption cases in the courts.

“While all of these are certainly steps in the right direction, we hasten to point out that we are not a nation lacking in good policies and good intentions, often times though the real challenge has been with implementation and enforcement,” they said.

The groups berated the National Assembly for failing to legislate relevant laws to advance the crusade against corruption, as well as deploying their oversight role in the cause of the fight.

“The apparent disregard for relevant anti-corruption bills on the floor of the National Assembly and the waste of time and resources deployed in deliberating such other mindless and anti-people bills like the NGO bill that is destined to fail, is a cause of worry.

“Had the judiciary not intervened and created a special courts to speed up corruption cases, the executive bill for the establishment of a special court division, which has been gathering dust at the Senate floor for over a year, would never have seen the light of day.

“Other very highly bills pilling dust at the floor of the National Assembly are the Proceeds of Crime bill, the Whistle Blower Bill and the Corporate Corruption bill," the CSOs lamented.

They also demanded for immediate action on six major issues listed below:

1. The president should publish the result of the investigation o 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.

2. The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, should be suspended and the EFCC should launch immediate investigation against the IGP and proceed with immediate trial if indicted.

3. The president should provide support to strengthen the existing institutions that will sustain the fight against corruption.

4. 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.

5. The National Assembly should corroborate the anti-corruption 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.

6. 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.

The CSOs also announced their plans to hold a protest tagged 'accountability walk' on Saturday, December 9, if their demands are not met.

They also announced the launch of radio programme called #Dorocorruption which will air every Monday on Wazobia FM 99.5, Abuja in pidgin English.

Legit.ng gathered that the programme is designed to sensitize the masses on issues of corruption, encouraging public participation in ensuring good governance and providing the platform for constructive engagement with various stakeholders in the anti-corruption fight.

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Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the forfeiture of 14 properties owned by former FCT minister, Bala Mohammed over alleged corruption.

The court in its ruling, approved an application by the EFCC seeking forfeiture of the properties.

Legit.ng gathered that the properties are scattered all over the FCT and were allegedly purchased and concealed under names of different companies and individuals.

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Source: Legit.ng

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