It was shocking that Alhaji Lai Muhammed, the spokesman for All Progressive Congress (APC) will come out in public to make a remark that suggests that APC leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Hon Rotimi Amaechi have no case pending with EFCC. To quote Alhaji Lai Muhammed "With what evidence will the EFCC go after Tinubu or Amaechi. What were they accused of? Why will they go after them if there are no petitions against them?". Is Lai Muhammed really asking what both men are being accused of? I think it is proper to give him a reminder of events.
EFCC's Investigation on Tinubu
In September 2006, the EFCC Chairman Nuhu Ribadu made known before the Senate that then Lagos state Governor, Bola Tinubu is under corruption investigation that is/was of "International dimension". I believe that Nigerians will want to know the outcome of the EFCC investigation against BAT that was said to be of "international dimension". Rather than coming out to ask Nigerians what "Tinubu" is accused of, it will be patriotic for Lai Muhammed to charge the President and EFCC to show transparency and leadership by telling Nigerians the status of the investigation-to determine whether or not BAT has a case to answer.
For the record: At no time did ANY court acquit Tinubu of theft. He was only acquitted on the allegation of operating 10 foreign accounts during his 8years as Governor which violated section 7 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap C15 LFN, 2004 www.vanguardngr.com/2011/12/tinubu-floors-fg/
Petition Against Amaechi Sent To EFCC, Presidency:
On August 5, 2015 it was reported that a group known as The Integrity Group, sent a "well detailed petition of corruption against former governor of Rivers state, Chibuike Amaechi to President Buhari and the EFCC". Neither the Presidency nor the EFCC has denied receipt of the I.G's petition. I don't want to believe that Lai Muhammed made the statement of "no petition" against Amaechi out of ignorance. I will advice that he consult with the EFCC and the Presidency, and encourage them to work on the petition so as to establish the innocence or otherwise of the former governor.
Buhari's Administration Insincerity With Anti-corruption:
Recall that on July 23, Spokesman Femi Adesina made known to Nigerians that the anti-corruption probe will only start and end with the immediate past government. According to him the President won't bother to probe the far past. He further said “The far past will includes Obasanjo and others. But the president has said he will not waste time to go that far.”
However, the above statement is in sharp contrast with Buhari comment/promise when he was running for the same office of the President in 2011 under CPC. In fact, he made it categorically that he will probe from the 1999 administration. In his own words;
“We know what we had in1999. After spending between $12 billion and $16 billion, we are going to tell the PDP to account to Nigerians what happened to that money because the power is available at Kainji, Jebba and the thermal stations. What is happening to them(?).”
“First of all, we have the problems on the ground. How much have they spent and what happened to all the resources put into power between1999 and now? We have to know what happened to the money. We know where we were in1999 when the PDP came, we will find out how much they spent up till today.”A Challenge To President Buhari and APC:
One of the biggest gaffe of the immediate past administration is the inability to bring alleged corrupt officials to justice (just like its own predecessors). The President should live up to his supposed tag as an anti-corruption czar and bring corrupt officers (whether near past, far past or present) to justice. He should revisit the EFCC investigation/report against Tinubu and others; pursue the petition against Amaechi; and bring every official that has stolen public funds to justice. In absence of sincere anti-corruption fight, he will continue to be seen as insincere and unserious.
May God Bless Us All