Top Story

Investigate allegations of bribery against Gov Ganduje, SERAP tells Buhari

349

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari urging him to use his “good offices and leadership position to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN, and/or appropriate anti-corruption agencies to without delay investigate allegations of bribery against Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, as contained in the widely circulated video clips allegedly showing Mr Ganduje receiving bribe.”

 

The organization said: “if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence, Mr Ganduje should face prosecution at the expiration of his tenure as governor.” The organization also urged the government “to instruct the Attorney General and/or appropriate anti-corruption agencies to ensure the protection and guarantee the safety and security of journalist Jaafar Jaafar, who reportedly published the video clips.”

 

In the open letter dated 2 November 2018 and signed by SERAP senior legal adviser Ms Bamisope Adeyanju, the organization said, “Given the history of corruption in Nigeria, especially unresolved allegations of grand corruption against many state governors, your government cannot and should not look the other way regarding the allegations against Mr Ganduje. Any allegations of bribery and abuse of power in any state of Nigeria is of concern to every Nigerian, and should therefore, be of concern to your government.”

 

The organization also said, “The obligations of your government to combat corruption in Nigeria extend to all the three tiers of government, namely, the federal government, state government and local government. Although primarily a matter of concern for Kano State, the allegations of bribery against Mr Ganduje have assumed such a proportion as to become a matter of concern to the federation as a whole, and therefore, to your government.”

 

The organization asked the government to “take the recommended steps within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter, failing which SERAP will institute legal proceedings to compel your government to act in the public interest.”

 

According to the organization, “Taking the recommended steps would help to enhance your government’s fight against corruption and contribute hugely to promoting the public interest, the interest of justice as well as prevent any abuse of the legal process. Any failure and/or refusal to act would undermine the goal of your government’s anti-corruption fight and tacitly serve to encourage persistent allegations of corruption among many state governors to continue with almost absolute impunity.”

 

The letter read in part: “Vigorously seeking to enforce anticorruption legislation and the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party against alleged corrupt state governors, will show that your government is with concerned with the overall well-being of the federation and willing and able to enforce important constitutional principles.”

 

“The Attorney-General of the Federation has power, conferred on him by section 174(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and anticorruption agencies have the powers to act on the allegations of bribery against Mr Ganduje for the sake of ensuring transparency and accountability, and promoting the common good, peace, order and good government of the federation (which includes Kano State).”

 

“Taking prompt action on the allegations of bribery against the governor would also be entirely consistent with the provisions of section 15 subsection (5) of the Constitution, which requires your government to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power, regardless of the state where such practices take place. Section 15 specifically defines “government” to include the government of the federation, or of any state, or of a local government council or any person who exercises power or authority on its behalf.

 

“Section 61(2) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) Act also provides that public officers accused of bribery may be prosecuted by the appropriate authority for such an offence.”

 

“SERAP is concerned that growing allegations of corruption including bribery against many state governors have not been investigated and that several of the governors involved are getting away with their alleged crimes.”

 

“We note that while a governor may enjoy immunity from arrest and prosecution, he does not enjoy immunity from investigation. Any criminal allegation against a sitting governor including Mr Ganduje can and should be investigated pending the time the governor leaves office and loses immunity. The findings of such investigation can also be the basis for initiating impeachment proceedings against the governor.”

 

 

 

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Angolan President João Lourenço Takes Helm as African Union Chairperson

Angolan President João Lourenço has been elected as the new chairperson of...

Anambra accident: Cement-laden truck crashes into building, leaving five dead, others injured

A tragic accident occurred at the Area Command Bus Stop in Nnewi,...

Just in: Afenifere leader, 96-year-old Ayo Adebanjo exits

Pa Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, has died...

FG Launches ‘Power Rangers’ to Protect Power Installations

Nigeria’s Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has announced the inauguration of a...

Breaking: National Assembly passes 54.9trn 2025 budget

The National Assembly has approved a record-breaking N54.9 trillion federal government’s budget...

Nigeria Partners Google to Harness AI for Digital Economic Growth

Nigeria is exploring a strategic partnership with Google to advance artificial intelligence...

NNPCL Chief, Kyari, Unveils Strategic Priorities for Africa’s Sustainable Energy Development

Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum...

Five months after cabinet reshuffle: Tinubu orders ministers to render account of stewardship

President Bola Tinubu has directed his ministers to provide an immediate account...

Just in: CBN Introduces New ATM Transaction Fees Effective March 1

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a review of transaction...

UCH power outage: Minister brokers deal with IBEDC, to restore electricity in 48 hours

Following the Minister of Power, Dr. Adebayo Adelabu’s intervention, the Ibadan Electricity...

VP Shettima Reaffirms Tinubu’s Commitment to Bridging Financial Gaps, Achieving $1trn Economy

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to economic...

Just in: Supreme Court reserves judgments in 4 Rivers political dispute cases

The Supreme Court has reserved its judgments in four separate cases related...

Edo gov. poll tribunal: Gov. Okpebholo closes defence, calls lone witness

Edo Gov. Monday Okpebholo on Monday in Abuja opened and closed his...

NAFDAC cracks down on counterfeit medicines, seizes fake drugs in Anambra market

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched...

Just in: Alleged terrorism: Justice Nyako adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s trial indefinitely

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned the...

N495m debt: Months-long power cut brings UCH Ibadan to grinding halt

The premier world-class University Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, is on...

Another Niger State Tanker Explosion: Latest Tragedy Fuels Push for Enhanced Safety Protocols

A catastrophic gas explosion rocked Sabon Wuse in Tafa Local Government Area...

Nigeria introduces hassle-free, contactless passport renewal system for European-based citizens

After its successful implementation in Canada, the Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi...

6-3-3-4 not scrapped, only proposing migration to 12-year compulsory education, Minister clarifies

Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa, has clarified media reports that the federal...

FG announces reforms, plans to replaces JSS, SSS with 12-year basic education model

After 42 years of its introduction into the education system, the Federal...