Factsreportersng
The Coordinator General, of Edo Civil Society Organisations, EDOCSO, has called on Nigeria anti-graft agencies comprising the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC) to fortify themselves and begin to act without waiting for people to submit petitions.
Leftist Omobude Agho made this call during the 3rd quarter state working group meeting on accountable governance, justice and security project-accessng in Benin City, the state capital.
The project is put together by EDOCSO in partnership with CLEEN Foundation and supports from ACCESSNG and Partners Global which focus on the topic: combating corruption in the midst of Covid-19 pandemic in Edo state.
Leftist Agho said EFCC and ICPC should as a matter of urgency should move faster in tracking down those who are using the outbreak as golden opportunity to divert resources and other donations from international donors meant to cushion the effect of the pandemic.
According to him, 'We thank God, the ministry of Justice, Nigerian Bar Association and other members of the civil society community are here present, we saw huge amount of money on the table which they alleged was distributed and I'm sure no member of my family or anyone in my neighborhood got alert. EFCC and ICPC should demand for the voucher from the minister.
'The minister said: they had distributed 1.3 billion Naira at the early stage of the Covid-19 pandemic you don't need any written petition to act on such.
'Now the national assembly is investigating the issue, It is not the duty of the national assembly to investigate corruption but for the anti-graft agencies, so, on this issue you do not need to write a petition because I don't think any one from your neighborhood or relative also got the cash transfer in form of palliative.
You are a Nigerian, did you get alert?
He said with the claims by EFCC and ICPC that they can not act on issues without formal petition will only subject poor Nigerians to continue to suffer the consequences of those laws or rules which place the rich on the position to keep enjoying the largesse of the society, noting he was wondering how come they easily go away with whatever they do.
The representatives of the EFCC and ICPC with logical support collaborated themselves by saying: It is what the law says that both commissions are following.
'Before we do anything, it must be in accordance with what is in the book. It is not the fault of the anti-graft agency, what we are doing is a part of what is documented as part of the laws regulating our functions and duties as commission.
'People should come forward and tell us what is happening in form of petition, that is what will form the base of our investigation. Don't be afraid to tell us. Also the lawyers are also slowing down our job in court. They can say one has infringe on the right of an individual.
Covid-19 has actually slowed down our job but we have been maintaining government directive in carrying out our duty during this period. We only make arrest on very serious cases and when we do, we don't join them with those already in our custody and we try as much as possible to do the needful.
Earlier, Edo state coordinator of CLEEN Foundation, Blessing Eromon admonished stakeholders present especially the EFCC and ICPC to at all times think of what will keep the suspect safe amid the covid-19 pandemic.
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