By Bello Fisayo
A coalition of Anti-Corruption Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has warned the federal government over an alleged plot to use the Corovnavirus Disease (Covid-19) window of opportunity to release imprisoned politicians like Orji Uzor Kalu, Jolly Nyame, James Bala Ngilari amongst other inmates.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Convener of the coalition which operates under the auspices of Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption (GLOCCOLAC), Dr. Gabriel Nwambu and its Secretary General, Mallam Dadik Malik said, the call has becoming necessary in view of the possibility of mixing the corrupt politicians into the category of other prisoners who are entitled to benefit form the decongestion arrangement.
“Now, Ex Governor Jolly Nyame of Taraba was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for defrauding his state to the tune of N1.64 billion. Ex-governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau was jailed for stealing N1.62 billion ecological funds belonging to the state. James Bala Ngilari , a former governor of Adamawa was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for defrauding N167 million. But the mother of all frauds was perpetrated by the ex-governor of Abia state who stole N7.65 Billion of tax payers money from Abia state, yet his name tops the list amongst persons likely to be granted amnesty”, the Coalition emphasised.
According to the CSOs, though there is no doubt that the world dreaded Covid- 19 otherwise referred to as Corona Virus has unleashed devastating effect on most advanced economies of the world is here in Nigeria, the entire pandemic is taking another dimension in the country with widely perceived cases of corruption.
They referred to the publication of 10th April, 2020 credited to Sahara Reporters captioned “Nigerian Government Ignores El- Zakzaky, to pardon Orji Kalu, other ex- governors jailed for stealing public funds” in which it was highlighted that the pardon was specifically meant to benefit persons close to the corridors of power currently in jail for various offences.
They recall that in 2015 when President Mohammadu Buhari assumed office as Nigerian’s President, he highlighted three cardinal plans as the focus of his administration: security, anti- corruption fight and the resuscitation of the nation’s economy and war against corruption which was aimed at killing corruption before it kill Nigeria.
“Orji Uzor is noted for his serial lies. Recall that in 2019, this former Governor claimed to be admitted in a German hospital where he was undergoing a knee surgery, just to evade appearing in court, only for him to appear a few days later jumping up and down in a political rally in Abia state. This man is known to leverage on any slightest lacuna to evade justice.
“It is pertinent to state here that most of these states where the ex Governors peculated the state’s treasury are still on their knees up till date and yet to recover from the comatose unleashed by these ex Governors whose unquenchable taste for stealing public funds has robbed the unemployed youths of their future and the generations yet unborn of basic social amenities of life.
“Again, if this publication by Sahara Reporter is anything to go by, then, the loss of public confidence on the present administration cannot be ruled out. This current Presidential Pardon, though born with genuine government intention might be abused by these fraudulent convicts.
Again, the implication of this is that people would be encouraged to steal and loot public funds since the consequences is not punitive enough to act as a deterrent to intending perpetrators of such crime especially when perpetrators believe that pardon or amnesty is always available at their disposal. This would certainly make a mockery of the Federal Government’s genuine intentions to combat crime. Nigerians should therefore watch out for possible abuses by these ex- Governors”, Coalition noted.
As regards the modus operandi of the lockdown in Abuja, the coalition said the result of several road blocks within and entry points to states has resulted in several reported cases of gross human rights violations, extortion, brutality which sometimes result in death.
The rest of the text of the address reads as follows:
“There are reports that Nigeria has recorded more deaths as a result of police extra judicial killings more than the Covid-19 has actually killed. There must be responsibility for extortion. There must be responsibility for extra judicial killings. There must be responsibility for violations of human rights in Nigeria.
“In the FCT border connecting Nasarawa state and the FCT, Kubwa road, Gwarimpa- Wuse 2, etc, the police collects money from the Keke Napep riders, individuals, motorists, etc. There are reports of human right abuses in Osun, Rivers, Delta, Abia and the FCT respectively. Some of these policemen compromise the enforcement and thereby increase the chances of more infections thereby sabotaging genuine government intentions. The IGP should as a matter of urgency commence a covert operation to fish out perpetrators and erring officers and men for proper sanction.
“Finally, by this medium we wish to advice all Nigerian citizens and persons resident in Nigeria that the Covid-19 pandemic is real and it is here in Nigeria.
Covid-19 is a global challenge.
Covid-19 is a humanitarian challenge.
Covid-19 is an economic challenge.
Covid-19 is a security challenge.
To fight this scourge, we require the cooperation of all Nigerians as government cannot fight this pandemic alone.
“Government should also brace up to be responsive, responsible and accountable to the yearnings and aspirations of every Nigerian citizen”.
