• Friday, March 29, 2024
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Nigerians, CSOs want prosecution of more politically exposed persons

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Photo Credit- The Daily Star

The recent Court judgements which led to the sentencing of two former Governors, namely Jonny Nyame of Taraba state and Joshua Dariye of Plateau State has sent fear into the spine of other politically exposed persons (PEPs).

Elated by the developments which they described as landmark in the fight against endemic corruption ravaging the most populous African nation, members of the Civil Society Organisations and some concerns Nigerians including lawmakers, called for enforcement of Administration of Justice Act and expedite action into the delivered very of justice in order to forestall perpetuation of corruption in the polity, especially by political office holders.

According to the list of submitted by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as at July 2016, revealed that 31 former State Governors are being investigated and pencilled down for prosecution.

They include: Senate President Bukola Saraki (former governor of Kwara State); a former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, and Senate minority leader, Godswill Akpabio who was Akwa Ibom State governor are some of the names of people facing corruption charges.

Others are: former governors Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu), Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), and Joshua Dariye (Plateau), Ahmed Yerima (Zamfara), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), James Ibori (Delta), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Ikedi Ohakim (Imo) and Peter Odili (Rivers).

BD Sunday reliably gathered that over N183 billion was involved in the corruption cases involving some governors, their family members and some influential Nigerians.

Ajibola Famurewa, a two term lawmaker in the House of Representatives on Wednesday expressed optimism that the conviction of former Governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye would serve as warning to political office holders to be wary of misappropriating public resources.

Dariye was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment by FCT High Court, sitting in Gudu, found guilty on six of the 23 counts of corruption instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against him.

In her ruling, Justice Adebukola Banjoko, found the ex-Governor guilty of diverting N80 million to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, N100 million to a company, Marine Flow and other sums through the All States Trust Bank.

Banjoko who was still reading the judgement at the time of this report found Mr Dariye guilty of counts 1, 2, 4, and 7.

Famurewa (APC-Osun) stated this in a chat with select Legislative Correspondent in Abuja, observed that Dariye, who is a serving Senator under the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC) shows the sincerity of the present administration to the fight against corruption.

“Not that Federal Government is not ready to fight corruption but in a Democratic setting, you need to give people fair hearing, meaning you have to allow justice to take its normal cause, though this may take a long time to conclude the judicial process.

“One thing I can take away from that conviction is that it will send a signal to all politicians that when you are in an office, you need to be extremely careful.

“Going by what Dariye said, he was misadvised by the civil servants which means he didn’t do it intentionally”.

“But whether he was misadvised or not, because he was the Chief Executive, he needs to answer the query. I hope he will appeal the judgement and may be will have mercy at the appellate court,” the Osun lawmaker noted.

Speaking on behalf of the Civil Society, Botti Isaac, who described the judgement as a ‘big gain’ for the crusaders of anti-corruption, commended the judiciary for bringing justice for the people of Plateau state, despite the prolonged delay.

“Dariye’s conviction is a commendable development. It shows that corruption can be tackled even at the higher levels. The two former Governors’ conviction should send a signal to those still in power that immunity only last for the period they are in power.

“For us in the civil society and who have been at the forefront of the campaign against corruption, the conviction is a big gain. It will serve as point of reference as part of the outcome of the campaign effort to reduce grand corruption in Nigeria. It also shows that a lot can be achieved in the fight against corruption.

“So, what is required is consistency of action and the political will to fish out the big fish in the pool of corruption. Government should objectively pursue its goal of taming corruption without fear or favour. This will in the long run yield the desired result on curbing corruption in Nigeria,” Isaac noted.

While reacting to the Tuesday’s ruling, Vivian Bellonwu-Okafor, Head, Social Action described the judgement as remarkable, however underscored the need for proactive action in prosecuting other highly placed Nigerians who at one time or the other were allegedly linked with corruption.

“It’s a good signal for democracy, governors have been known to feudal lords in their states, arrogating both powers and the people’s commonwealth to themselves and hitherto, none has been called to account talkless of being held liable for infractions.

“This latest conviction of a former governor of Plateau State is no doubt a sure step in the right direction although it still falls short of pass mark in overall score for anti corruption. In other words, there are still many more Dariye’s out there.

“The EFCC should promptly follow through and not let the steam of this one or two isolated success swallow the Augean stable that needs be cleaned”.

“As a country, corruption has seen the systematic annihilation of the country’s glory widening in a most unfortunate dimension divide between rich and poor. Steps to tackle corruption are therefore steps of battle for the reclaim of the soul of the nation. The conviction is a good sign but it’s largely and sadly still a drop of water in the ocean.

In the same vein, Auwal Ibrahim Musa, Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) commended the judiciary for the judgement against the ex-governor of Plateau State, Senator Joshua Dariye, who was handed down a 14-year sentence on Tuesday June 12, for misappropriation of funds during his tenure as governor after a trial which lasted 11 years.

“This judgement, coming shortly after the 14-year sentence of ex-Governor of Taraba State, Jolly Nyame, on corruption charges in May this year without an option of fine, is a step towards restoring the confidence of the citizens in the fight against corruption, although long overdue.

“We note that, until recently, despite numerous allegations and court proceedings levelled against Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), it is worrisome that many of them move in and out of the country without consequences regarding the allegations of embezzlement and misuse of funds levelled against them. It is embarrassing to Nigerians and the nation as a whole that many of these PEPs, who still contest elections in some states, have not been handed down a decisive sentence.

“We therefore call on the judiciary and appellate courts to be consistent and firm and consolidate the implementation of the new administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, by shunning every form of inducements and manipulations to delay the process to delay and deliver a decisive and fair judgement on all corruption cases.

“These decisive judgements are necessary to boost the morale of anti-corruption agencies and anti-corruption activists and also restore citizens’ confidence in the judiciary, and to serve as deterrent to other public office holders who have plans to dip their hands into public treasury. It will also help boost the image of the country which has suffered in the recent past due to corruption.

The Center also called on the relevant anti-corruption agencies to carry out their primary functions without fear or favour in the fight against corruption.

“We call on the civil society, the media and all well-meaning Nigerians to maintain close vigilance on elected political leaders, especially as elections begin and strive to resist political coercion that will further divide the nation along tribal and religious lines. We must remain steadfast in advocacy for the establishment of frameworks that will strengthen the institutional and governance frameworks and ensure strict compliance with extant laws and regulations.

“We call on the National Assembly to support the government by ensuring the passage of all pending Anti-Corruption Bills. CISLAC remains committed to monitoring the government to ensure that she fulfils her promises to the citizens of our great nation”.