A coalition of civil society (CSO) group, the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, Thursday, urged the Emir of Kano, Mallam Mohammed Sanusi II to submit himself for probe over his alleged role in misappropriation of public fund.
The coalition said by so doing he would help clear the air on his role in the alleged misappropriation.
A panel set up by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the emirate on alleged misappropriation of the sum of N3.4bn had after its preliminary investigation recommended for the suspension of the Emir of Kano and other principal suspects, pending the conclusion of the investigation.
The group, in a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, commended the commission for recommending for the suspension of the emir, describing it as a bold step in the fight against corruption in the country.
President of the group, Comrade Victor Kalu, who stated the position of the group on the issue, said that the suspension, “Will in no small measure speed up the investigation as he will no further delay or interfere on the operations of the commission as he has always done”.
Kalu was however quick to add that if after investigation, the emir was found innocent, the government of Kano State should not hesitate to reinstate him with all his entitlement.
While disclosing that their position was occasioned by the alleged refusal of Mallam Sanusi to honour several invitations by the Kano State government to defend himself of the allegations, the group insisted that he should be made to face the full weight of the law if found culpable so as to “Serve as a deterrent to all public office holders that believed they are above the law”.
The group also appealed to the general public particularly, highly placed individuals not to interfere with the task of the state anti-corruption agency so as not to render ineffective the war against corruption in the country.
“The decision of the Kano State Government to stop further investigation on this critical public concerned issue that borders on misappropriation of public fund, based on the sudden intervention of Aliko Dangote and Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi has painted the government on a very negative note and unserious in supporting the Federal Government in the fight against corruption. The Kano State Government should therefore retrace its step immediately in order to win back masses’ confidence”, Kalu said.
