By Emmanuel Oloniruha
Abuja – Coalition of 18 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Wednesday in Abuja called for urgent clear policy actions on assets recovery as recommended by the Global Forum for Asset Recovery in 2017.
The CSOs made the call at a news conference on “State of the Nation’’ jointly address by the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Rafsanjani; and the Chairman, Partner for Electoral Reform, Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu.
Nwagwu said that the development of the policy and inclusion of CSOs in the nationwide discussion on the management and end-use of recovered assets were imperative to covert current trend and to successfully combat corruption.
He called on the government to strengthen anti-corruption institutions, as well as ensure adequate protection and encouragement for whistle-blowers.
Nwagwu also called on the government to intensify media and public consciousness in demanding transparency and accountability in governance.
He, however, condemned the continued violation of the Public Procurement Act 2007 in contracts award by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) done through the non-appointment of the National Procurement Council as required by the law.
According to him, the FEC had continued to approve contracts in clear violation of the Public Procurement Act.
“This act of FEC does not show a government ready to abide by the rule of law and ensuring transparency in contract awards.
“We therefore call on the government to follow the law and set up the National Procurement Council as the Act stipulates,’’ he said.
Nwagwu added that the fight against corruption could not be properly won in the absence of the non-compliance of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) as presently observed by various government agencies.
“The Judicial pronouncement that the FOI Act applies to states is very much welcomed. The Judiciary must do more in applying sanctions on erring officials on the FOI Act.’’
Nwagwu disclosed that CSOs were aware of the various commitments by the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government to fight corruption, but they were worried that official corruption was fast becoming a permanent feature.
“We are worried that the administration’s unwillingness to exert appropriate sanction against erring officials,’’ he said.
The officials, according to him, include re-engagement of the former Chairman of Presidential Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, who was disengaged by previous administration over alleged N2.7 billion pension fraud.
“Former DSS boss, Ita Ekpenyong who allegedly partook in corruption and mismanagement of funds amounting to nine million dollar operation fund from Sambo Dasuki, former National Security Adviser, and who is enjoying protection from the DSS from arrest.’’
Also listed were former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal attributed to diversion and mismanagement of about N12 billion Northeast Humanitarian Intervention fund.
On his part, Rafsanjani said recalled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in Vienna, 2017 disclosed that 2.9 billion dollars had been recovered between May 2015 and Oct, 2017.
He said though the anti-graft agency made the disclosure, there was little information and lack of information and absence of clear guidelines on how the recovered assets were utilised to the benefits of citizens.
“With the overlapping mandates of the anti-corruption agencies on asset recovery management, it is unclear which of the many anti-corruption institutions takes a lead in the coordination of assets recovery efforts.’’
Rafsanjani added that the suspension of Nigeria from the elite EGMONT Group of financial intelligence agencies was ample evidence of chaotic institutional structure in the anti-corruption domain.
“Although, the National Assembly has recently passed the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) Bill, if the executive does not sign it into law, Nigeria will be expelled from the ECOMONT Group.
“The implication for ordinary Nigerians is that our debt and credit cards will be suspended from the international payment system,’’ he said.(NAN)
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