Resources Meant For Everybody In The Pockets Of Individuals-Former Buhari’s Aide

A former aide to President Muhammadu Buhari on Financial Crimes
in the Federal Ministry of Justice Mr. Biodun Aikomo has stated
that, “the biggest problem Nigeria faces is corruption, as
resources meant for everybody are in the pockets of
individuals.”

Mr Aikomo, who until recently was Senior Assistant to President
Buhari, said: “We must go beyond mere rhetoric and really join
hands as citizens to fight corruption. If we wait for the
anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to fight corruption,
we may not achieve much progress. As citizens, it is important to
show courage to demand accountability from public officials.”

Aikomo was speaking today at a town hall meeting organized by
the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in
collaboration with UKaid.

The town hall meeting titled: ‘Citizens’ participation in the
fight against corruption in the police, health, education,
judiciary and electricity sectors in Nigeria’, and held at the
Ikeja Airport Hotel, Ikeja was attended by representatives of
Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), National Orientation Agency, the
Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Nigerian Bar
Association Ikeja branch, human rights activists, civil society
leaders, the media, and other stakeholders, such as market women
association, taxi drivers’ association, and student
associations.

The NLC General Secretary represented by Mr. Benson Upah said:
“To fight corruption, we must self deny, be courageous, do it in
groups, in numbers lies our strength. Corruption can be prevented,
(make sure it doesn’t happen), deterred (if it has happened,
somebody must be made to pay the price). And we can encourage
people not to engage in corruption. The citizens must now begin to
take action.”

Participants at the town hall meeting agreed to set up what they
called: ‘Citizens United against Corruption, to which everyone can
become members.

Mr. Newton Osetmaye of Action Aid Nigeria, said: “We need to go
beyond rhetoric and meetings and look towards solutions. Citizens
United against Corruption should move quickly to action. Once there
is a critical mass of citizens taking action, we will be better for
it. We need to resist corruption steadfastly.”

Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP deputy director, said before the group
discussions: “As Nigerians, we all have a right to a
corruption-free society. So, getting involved in the fight against
corruption—grand corruption and petty corruption—is standing up for
our fundamental human rights.”

According to him, “The cost of not standing up for our rights is
huge. Our governments and lawmakers have little incentive to fight
corruption. Therefore, corruption in Nigeria won’t simply disappear
without the citizens vigorously pushing for this to happen. We know
that those who make change have to work for months or years to
create change in the world.”

His paper read in part: “But as Nigerians, we have to start
doing something in our various communities about corruption and
holding our elected and appointed public officials to account. By
doing this, we will not only be standing up for our own human
rights but also for the human rights of all Nigerians—both present
and future generations.”

“We all know corruption when we ‘see it’! Corruption is like a
huge elephant sitting on this country. Nigeria has lost over $400
billion of public funds to corruption since independence in 1960.
Corruption has increased the cost of achieving the UN Millennium
Development Goal in the country, including on education, health,
water and sanitation.”

“Millions of Nigerians cannot access or obtain essential public
goods and services because of corruption. The benefits of the
country’s natural resources are exchanged and shared among the
politicians, the rich and well connected, excluding the less
privileged, the socially and economically vulnerable in our
country.”

“Mismanagement, embezzlement or diversion of public funds, for
example, through ‘security votes’, constituency projects, ‘welcome
package’ for members of the National Assembly further reduces the
government’s resources available for development and poverty
reduction spending.”

“Yet, if basic public services are not delivered to citizens due
to corruption, the state eventually loses its credibility and
legitimacy.”

“As the 2019 general elections in the country have shown,
corruption in the political processes can undermine the rule of the
people and thus the very foundation of democracy.”

“Working together and united as citizens, we can create
substantial change and make corruption history in Nigeria. It is
possible and with faith and courage, we can do it, as
#CitizensUnited. Let’s take this message to people in our various
communities and encourage them to be part of this citizens movement
against corruption. Let’s stand up for our rights and the rights of
our fellow citizens by saying loudly: “Corruption E don do for
Niaja.”!”

“Let’s begin to expose corruption right from our various
communities and report cases to appropriate authorities.”

“We often assume that someone else will stand up for our human
rights. But make no mistake about this: we as individuals are the
best protectors of the Nigerian Constitution. Together, we must be
the ones who promote transparency and accountability in the
management of public resources and end entrenched impunity for
corruption in our country. We must take a monumental step: we must
choose a corruption issue—be in education, the police, the
judiciary, health, or electricity sectors– close to our hearts and
participate in a meaningful way.”

“SERAP encourages people to speak up against corruption at all
levels of government—federal, state and local government as well as
against corruption involving the private sector, and the impunity
that has allowed corruption to flourish. Grand and petty corruption
directly affect all of us as citizens, especially the socially and
economically vulnerable among us. Nigerians can contact us at
[email protected]^[1]
if they wish to become a member of the Citizens United against
Corruption.”

“Others who attended the event included representatives of CODE,
BudgIT, Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ),
Enough is Enough Nigeria, Media Rights Agenda, National Human
Rights Commission, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, NASU,
UNIOSUN, CSACEFA, media organizations, Association of Sign language
Interpreters, ANEEJ, HEDA Resource Centre, Accountability Lab,
Youth Alive Foundation, CEHEJ, Centre for Human Rights, Civic Media
Lab, and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights.”

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Police Investigate Senator Abbo Elisha over Assault of
Female Citizens

The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM,mni has
ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances
surrounding the alleged assault on a female Nigerian by Senator
Abbo Elisha.

Specifically, the IGP directed the Commissioner of Police in
charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, CP
Bala Ciroma to provide a personal and round-the-clock supervision
of every facet of the investigation, including the Forensic
analysis of the video currently in circulation as well as the
actions/inactions of the Policeman seen in the video footage.

The IGP, while assuring citizens of utmost professionalism by
the Police in the handling of the matter, promised that the Force
will ensure that justice is manifestly done in this case
irrespective of whose ox is gored.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Bala Ciroma has
already established contact with the victim of the assault and has
commenced investigation in earnest into the case.

The IGP thanked Nigerians for their massive show of empathy and
concern for the rights of their fellow citizen and urged continuous
citizens’ engagement in the tackling of the wider challenges of
security in our country.

DCP FRANK MBA
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA