Corruption: CSOs Threaten Showdown Unless Akpabio, Amaechi, Ors Are Prosecuted

The Civil Society Groups for Accountability and Probity, have
threatened to embark on a nationwide protest following the
non-prosecution of former Governors Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom,
Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, and others accused of
corruption.

Jonathan Ogwuche, National Secretary of the group, who addressed
a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, said that the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had not acted on petitions sent
to it on Sen. Akpabio.

He said that failure of the anti-graft agency to act on several
petitions it submitted against Sen. Akpabio, had discredited the
government’s fight against corruption.

Ogwuche explained that the CSOs would have no other option than
to protest, to draw the attention of the international
community.

“We herein call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately
direct the EFCC to proceed with the prosecution of Sen. Godswill
Akpabio, while a similar presidential directive should be issued to
the CCB to proceed with the trial of Akpabio at the Code of Conduct
Tribunal.

“Justice should take its full course without creating room for
sacred cows. We shall mobilise our members across Nigeria for a
massive protest if measures are not taken to prosecute Akpabio,”
Ogwuche said.

He said that the group had within the “ precincts of the law’’
tried to make the EFCC and CCB to prosecute Akpabio.

“We have written several times to these anti-graft bodies both
directly and through open publications without any response.”