CSOs ask Buhari to probe Malami over high-profile corruption cases

By our reporter| Some civil society organisations in the country over the weekend urged President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami over high profile corruption and influence peddling.
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In a letter was signed by Olanrewaju Suraju, chairman, the Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), a coalition of 150 CSOs; Debo Adeniran, chairman, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) and Ezenwa Nwagwu of Say No Campaign, the coalition listed 14 high-profile corruption cases” against the AGF.

The coalition who rated the alleged auctioning of sea vessels holding crude oil seized by the federal government high on the list, said the immediate option before the AGF is to resign and give way for full inquiry into the allegations.

The letter read in part, “It has to be now or never. There are very strong allegations of corruption against Mr Abubakar Malami with clear evidence. President Buhari should act now.”

“We have listed these corruption cases after painstaking compilation of high profile corruption cases involving the country’s No 1 law officer. The President must act without delay.

“We are perturbed by these reports considering the revered position occupied by Mr. Malami, being the number one law officer of the country. Some of the allegations as conveyed in the media reports go to the root of breakdown of law and order and total disregard for the rule of law.

“These allegations serve as a slap in the face to your Excellency’s administration foremost goal of ridding the nation of corruption. These allegations are totally opposite the core objectives of your administration and international perception of the country.”

“The AGF also authorized the sale of these vessels by companies under EFCC prosecution for similar offence of illegal bunkering and this action was admitted by the AGF through his media aide pleading presumption of innocence on the part of the accused, in the case being prosecuted by the Federal Government through EFCC.”