By Enyeribe Ejiogu
A group, Young Professional Alliance For Change, has condemned what
it described as absurd and unacceptable approach of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission in the anti-corruption crusade.
The group made this observation in reaction to “the unguarded
desperation by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) in the
execution of the mandate,” noting that EFCC has become “best known for
arresting suspects and detaining them even before carrying out any form
of investigation,” stressing that when it actually conducts any
investigation, the exaggerated story of the arrest would be immediately
released to the media while the accused is instantly branded guilty.
Buttressing its disapproval of the way and manner the agency
operates, the group cited the recent arrest of Mrs Esther Ogbue-Nnamdi,
the former managing director of the Petroleum Products and Marketing
Company (PPMC), and currently the managing director of NNPC Retail
Limited, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation,
whose official residence and office were ransacked, purportedly in
search of evidence to authenticate a petition written against her.
In a press statement signed by its General Secretary, Chukwudi
Ifediora, and made available to Sunday Sun, the group said: “The arrest
of Mrs Ogbue-Nnamdi and the ransacking of her office and residence were
based on a fictitious petition written by some desperate contractors who
believe that her due process adherence at the PPMC had deprived them of
opportunity to carry out business as usual. “The principal reason for
her arrest was the falsehood contained in the petition that she built
and furnished a N1.2 billion mansion in Maitama District, Abuja, within
two months. This is absolutely untrue because it is on record that the
building in question is the official residence of the accused rented for
her by the PPMC. It is not her personal property.
“One would have expected the EFCC on receiving the petition to take
steps and crosscheck with the appropriate agencies of government,
including the Federal Housing Authority, the ownership of the property.
This was not done.”
While stressing that the on-going anti-corruption crusade initiated
and spearheaded by President Muhammadu Buhari deserves support from
every Nigerian, as the country has gained a better standing in the
comity of nations, the group however said: “We owe a duty to Nigerians
and this administration to ensure that only the right thing is done.
EFCC must not be desperate to make news. It must be desperate to do what
is right in line with the law establishing it and in line with the 1999
Constitution.
“Arresting and detaining innocent people before carrying out the
required investigation is wrong and unacceptable. This is not how to
fight corruption. Such approach is not only absurd and unacceptable; it
is at variance to the EFCC Act, and of course, the 1999 Constitution
(as amended).
“It is wrong to assume that anybody who serves in public office is a
thief. In this country, we still have some patriotic citizens who value
their names and professional ethics more than illegal wealth. From
records available to us, Mrs. Ogbue- Nnamdi is one of such Nigerians who
values her name.”
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