Nigerian Presidency has given reasons why President Muhammadu Buhari has been quiet on cases of corruption involving members of his cabinet.
It also said that the Senate and the Ministry of Health panels that investigated the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Prof. Usman Yusuf, was lacking the powers to indict the top government officials.
This was disclosed by a Special Assistant to the President on Prosecutions, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla when he addressed questions on why President Bihari is silent on the reports before him.
The presidential aide maintained that a similar committee set up by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, which discovered fraud to the tune of N919m that allegedly took place under Yusuf as the NHIS boss, also lacked the power to investigate crime.
When asked how soon the President would take a decision on the SGF, Obono-Obla told Punch, “It is an administrative process because it was not clear if there was corruption or if there was an infringement on the economic or financial laws in the country.
“The Senate that attempted to investigate it did not have the power (to do so). It cannot investigate crime; the Senate can only carry out its oversight function to expose corruption , inefficiency, maladministration in the process of lawmaking.
“It (Senate) should report to the ICPC; it should report to the EFCC. An administrative panel of enquiry (the Osinbajo-led panel ) has submitted its report to the President. After that, a committee would be set up to review and then come out with a White Paper.
“It is not automatic. A White Paper would be the government’s position on the issue. The committee can make 10 recommendations and the White Paper may accept two. So, the President is in that process of coming out with a report.
“So, the President must follow due process before coming to a conclusion. Even if that report comes out, the President does not have powers to investigate the crime.
“The Nigeria Police Force, EFCC, ICPC, and so on are the only bodies that have powers to investigate the crime. That matter has to be investigated and if a prima facie case is established , then that person can be taken to court. Nigerians must just be patient.”
He, however, said the Presidency was in the process of coming up with a report on the suspended SGF’s matter.
This Obla man is a disgrace to his family and the Nigerian state. What happened to the numerous cases where his government took precipitate action against persons in the last administration that were accused of corrupt practices? Is he indirectly accusing his government of carrying out extra-judicial actions against their perceived enemies? Obono Obla should learn to keep his traps shut.
Rubbish pure rubbish. If the President didn’t recognize them, let him set up his recognized committee or refer them to appreciate legal department to investigate them.
We worked and voted for this government to help us fight corruption why is PMB treating us this way?
Please, could somebody explain this to me like am a 6 year old?
When a financial crime is thought to be committed by a member of this presidents cabinet, the senate investigates…right? The senate that is not the police, EFCC, or ICPC…right? Then, after the senate investigates, they’d contact either the EFCC or the ICPC (these are the bodies whose job is to investigate financial crimes), if they find something. After that, the EFCC or the ICPC would then take the case to the vice president so he can assemble a committee that would draw up a “White paper,” which is the government’s position of what the government is going to do…take them to court for trial or tell us that there’s no evidence of a crime? “Ana m anu!
When did the Nigerian legislative body, such as the senate become a police unit?
Would the whole process not be easy if we just get the EFCC or the ICPC to investigate and if there’s enough evidence against them we take them to court? The president is surely going to be briefed on one of his anointed being charged with a crime.
This is a wonderful and enlightening process of corruption fighting administration. “Haba President Buhari…”
Cash Ezimako
Shameless double standards!
When did Buhari and his thugs begin to care about due process? Only when it applies to their own?
This is a regimen that routinely tries suspected political enemies on the media all the time, confiscate people’s money and properties because of mere suspicion, refused court order to release Dasuki, his mortal enemy, and here we have good for nothing lawyer Obono-Obla making excuses for the dictator!