Bawa’s anti-corruption war at gun point, selective prosecution and violation of fundamental human rights of Nigerians

PRESS STATEMENT

1. There is a universal consensus that power is transient, power is ephemeral and power is temporary but the EFCC Chairman is not aware and as such lives in a fools paradise and acts pedestrian.

2. The use of power in the ancient, medieval and gestapo style in which the EFCC operates is indeed shameful and a disgrace to Nigeria in the comity of nations and should be a major concern to the present administration as well as well meaning Nigerians and the international community.

3. Watching what has been going on in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since the appointment of Abdulrasheed Bawa, one cannot help but feel sad that something sinister is wrong somewhere in the management of the Commission, the inefficiency and incapacity of Bawa to steer the direction of the agency professionally.

4. The selective anti corruption crusader in Bawa and his lackluster performance in office would help to determine his place in Nigeria’s corruption battle. He came, saw but failed to make a difference. His greatest odds is himself and posterity will judge him harshly for self inflicted blunders and failures.

5. Indeed, his greatest undoing is his inability to resist the tendency for selective prosecution of accused persons, pre-emptive trial of suspects undergoing investigation and conferring above-the-law status to questionable individuals working within and outside the Commission.

6. There are several instances where Bawa’s EFCC became the accuser, prosecutor and the judge in handling of certain cases. Such cases are all above the online media including Saharareporters.

7. We are therefore giving Bawa 24 hours ultimatum to honourably resign from office or be ready to face mass action against his continuous stay in office to be coordinated by the Coalition for Pro-democracy/Human Rights groups and Coalition of Nigerians against corruption.

8. We shall organize a protest match to the EFCC’s office and other select offices of the Commission and anti- graft agencies across Nigeria to register our disapproval with the grave disobedience to the judgement of the Federal High Court and other Courts sentencing Mr Bawa for contempt.

9. We are ready to work with the incoming leadership of the EFCC in order to prevent rights abuses, contempt of courts and disobedience to court orders in the future.

10. We shall network with relevant stakeholders in the anti-graft war to undertake objective analysis of their operations nationwide and institute the conscience of unbiased approach to the struggle against corruption in our country – Nigeria.

11. The public perception of the EFCC as a tool for settling political scores, vandetta,  prejudicial trial of accused persons under Bawa leadership must be corrected urgently.

12. Thus, the EFCC should now investigate, arrest and genuinely prosecute all persons in Federal Government agencies whose conduct were detrimental to dipping hands in public treasury. Including government officials who personalized public tilt and others involved in stamp duty remittances saga. The current selective prosecution, framing up of some persons and other obnoxious practices against the principles of fair play, equity and justice can no longer be tolerated.

13. We make bold to state that there are monumental cases of corruption at the federal level than states and local governments. Indeed, the lion share of the monthly generated and federal allocation are domiciled with federal government.The EFCC should use their energy on serious issues and not witch-hunting individuals and state governments not in their good books or perceived enemies.

14.  The current selective application of the anti corruption campaign is unacceptable to the democratic loving Nigerians. The EFCC should investigate the circumstances surrounding the inflationary cost of their new headquarters in Abuja. The process must transparently disclose also the  identity of the contractor and the reason why the contract was executed to the tune of almost N30 billion contrary to the original moderated cost approved .

15. Henceforth, EFCC must obey the laws of  land because they are also the creation of the law. Our laws states that no citizen should be arrested and detained for more than a specific period without being charged to court.

16. The high handed style of breaking people’s houses in a gestapo like style must not repeat itself anywhere in our country. The same EFCC under Bawa never demonstrated such impunity on a known figure notorious for  soiling their hands with stamp duty funds and economic sabotage. An offence much more grevious than other cases involving paltry amounts.

17. It is not acceptable for the EFCC to continue to violate the rights of Nigerians with impunity under the guise of fighting corruption. We shall resist any attempt to take us back to the era of military dictatorship.

18. We shall constitute Human Rights/Pro-democracy Tribunal for the trial of government officials who violate the rights of Nigerians, disobey court orders, aid mischief against innocent citizens, selectively handle cases of politically exposed persons, that have acted with indecency and impunity in the discharge  of their assigned duties. We shall undertake this onerous responsibility and ensure that fundamental rights of Nigerians are not violated for selfish and  parochial political interests pseudo democrats and their running dogs “Transient Manipulators of Political Power” in contemporary Nigeria.

Signed.

1. Arewa Transparency and Democratic Youths Initiatives (ATDYI)

Com Salisu Yusuf

2. Northeast Youths Assembly (NYA)

Com Sidi Babayali

3. Center for Rights, Justice and Democratic Integrity(CRJD)

Dr. Nadabo Abdullahi Fargo

4. Middlebelt Forum for Good Governance (MFG)

Barr Yakubu Jonah Ambali

5. Southeast Coalition for Leadership (SCL)

Com Okafor Oguchwuku

6.Southwest Alliance for Innovation and Good Governance (SAIG)

Com Babalola Shodipe Abayomi