Buhari asks NASS to speedily pass special crimes court bill

Yusuf Bello| President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday called on the National Assembly to fast-track the passage of the Special Crimes Court Bill.

The president who made the call at the National summit on “Diminishing Corruption in the Public Service”, in a statement by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, also urged the judiciary to embrace and support the creation of special crimes court in the country.

According to him, the passage of the bill was a “specific priority” of the present administration’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (EPRG) 2017-2020.

Buhari said, “The fight against corruption is of course not only for government and anti-corruption agencies alone. All arms and tiers of government must develop and implement the anti-corruption measures.”

“I invite the legislative and judicial arms of government to embrace and support the creation of special crimes court that Nigerians have been agitating for to handle corruption cases.”

The statement also noted that the president reiterated his recent directive to all agencies of government to enroll in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to beam its searchlight on public institutions that were yet to comply.

“I am aware that the Commission recently conducted system studies and review of many MDAs to evaluate systems and processes relating to transparency and accountability in personnel and capital spending through which you successfully blocked over N9 billion from being diverted from 2019 personnel budget.

“That was a proactive prevention measure. I have directed that all agencies of government must get on the IPPIS in order to eliminate the padding of personnel budgets.”

“I encourage the ICPC and other law enforcement agencies to intensify their efforts in public education, enlightenment, and engagement with citizens.

“I also urge our development partners, civil society organisations, and the media to continue to support our efforts to strengthen ethical values and integrity in Nigeria,” President Buhari said.