An
elder statesman and Ijaw leader has blasted the alleged one-sided
nature of President Muhammadu Buhari's anti-corruption war.
President Muhammadu Buhari
Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has accused President Muhammadu
Buhari of using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the
Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Commission to fight a
selective war against corruption.
According to Punch, the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum
maintained that although President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against
corruption was genuine, the fight would only succeed if it was not
selective and their are no sacred cows in his cabinet.
Clark stated this during a news conference on Tuesday at his
Kiagbodo country house in Burutu Local Government Area where he read an
open letter addressed to the Attorney General of the Federal and
Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN).
The Ijaw leader particularly condemned and described as
unimaginable the manner at which the anti-graft agencies abandoned
corruption cases in court for several years despite enough glaring
evidence to nail the accused persons in court.
Making references to the recent re-arraignment of a former Governor
of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu; and a former Governor of Oyo
State, Alhaji Rasheed Ladoja, by the EFCC — after their cases were
abandoned for over nine years, Clark said such an action smacked of
selectivity.
Clark said, “While Nigerians appreciate this, it must be
observed that the activities of some of the anti-graft agencies may
seriously affect Mr. President’s fight against corruption. All patriotic
Nigerians are very supportive of President Muhammadu Buhari’s
anti-corruption crusade.
“He (Buhari) has done well in his fight against corruption, and
we all commend him for that. But for this fight to succeed, there
should not be sacred cows. Therefore, those heading the anti-graft
agencies must be seen to be above board in the discharge of their
duties.
“A situation whereby cases on corruption have been abandoned in
the courts for years is unimaginable. Now that they want to reopen
them, only a very few of them seem to be selected for re-arraignment.
This negates the principle of impartiality. The war against corruption
should be total.”
Clark demanded that other abandoned cases involving ex-governors
such as Gbenga Daniel (Ogun State), Ikedi Ohakim (Imo State), Murtala
Nyako (Adamawa State), Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe State), Sule Lamido,
(Jigawa State) and his two sons be reopened without further delay.
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