EFCC and the ‘no evidence’ submission

EFCC and the ‘no evidence’ submission
As Nigerians, we prefer to believe more in what we hear or read from independent media than what comes out from officials or their mouthpiece, not because we regard them as liars but because most of what private media reported tends to be absolutely right. Early this week we were made to choose between what the media was saying and the subsequent denial from the EFCC boss on the submission she made to the National Assembly that there is no evidence to prosecute the former president, Obasanjo on charges of corruption.
The EFCC boss was reported to have said that ‘she did not inherit any case-files against 31 governors from her predecessor, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu nor was there prima facie case established against them’. However, the officials of the EFCC came out later to say that their boss was quoted out of context and affirmed that the investigations are on course. It is easy for us to believe the media than what the official of the EFCC are saying.
After her controversial appointment last May, few Nigerians believed that Mrs Waziri will make any difference at the EFCC. But given her credentials and past records some people including yours sincerely were convinced that Madam would be different from the person she inherited, who many believed, was used to haunt political opponents. One good thing about the arrests and prosecutions made by Nuhu Ribadu was that most of the people arrested or prosecuted were no doubt corrupt and they have embezzled public funds and nobody to my knowledge denied the allegations.
With all the revelations coming from state governors of empty treasuries after their swearing-in sometimes in May 2007, and several allegation of corruption in NEPA, NNPC where large sum of money amounting to billions of naira has gone down the drain with no trace of project meant to be executed.
I think Mrs. Waziri under estimated the job she undertook. I told her in a write up sometimes in June after she was screened by the National Assembly, she should not in any way underestimate her job. If after 3 or 4 months at the EFCC she cannot come up with any evidence of corruption against these people, which the man she inherited told us was only waiting for them to finish their tenure to be arrested, let her resign her appointment so that we will know that she is not capable.
I am not saying she must nail the former governors and Obasanjo, but it was the former EFCC boss, Nuhu Ribadu that told the world that he has concrete evidence that 31 out of the 36 governors at the time are thieves. Where are the files? Let us join Edwin Clark in asking Mrs. Waziri where are the bulky report gleefully submitted to the National Assembly by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu that was applauded by members of the senate and the generality of Nigerians? Was the report false? Was it fabricated?
What was even more disturbing (or was it ridiculous?) was that there was no petition against the former president Obasanjo on any case of fraud; hence the anti- graft agency cannot investigate him. Or what the EFCC spokesman said which is rather unfortunate was that since there is change of leadership and the new person cannot lay hands on the file because it was not handed over to her, is for those who wrote the petition to forward another petition to the incumbent person. Mr. Spokesman, who was responsible for forwarding the report to the incumbent in the first place? Wannan wane irin rainin hankali ne? I thought there is a secretary specifically responsible for that in the EFCC.
If a ‘National Institution’ like the EFCC does not have a filing system, that is, an office to keep record of in and out-going files, then I think there is no basis for establishing the institution in the first place. To me the institution itself is as corrupt as the people it is pursuing. EFCC’s fight against corruption under Waziri make Nigerians disillusioned at the deception and the double standard on the ongoing fight against corruption. Nigerians are doubtful of the EFCC and President Yar’adua’s sincerity on the Rule of Law slogan.
We hope Yar’adua will clear our doubt by ensuring that those who looted the country’s treasury are brought to book. It is then that we can believe in his rule of law and his quest for making the country great in the next 11 years.
Kabiru Danladi,
Lawanti Village, KM25, Along Gombe-Bauchi Road,
Akko Local Government Area,
Gombe State.
Kblondon2003@yahoo.com
08054546764, 08035150369