Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has petitioned
\nProfessor Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and
\nOther Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Ibrahim Mustafa Magu,
\nActing Chairman Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urging
\nthem to “jointly and urgently invite senators Godswill Akpabio and Isa
\nMisau for interrogation and further questioning over alleged diversion
\nof constituency projects.”<\/p>\n
The organization said: “If the ICPC and EFCC consider the recovered
\nhospital equipment and six tractors allegedly diverted for the personal
\nuse of the senators as relevant and sufficient admissible evidence, we
\nurge you to promptly begin prosecution of the former senators.”<\/p>\n
The ICPC had last week stated that it recovered from the premises and
\nfarmland allegedly belonging to the senators equipment meant for
\nconstituency projects in some local government areas of Akwa Ibom and
\nBauchi states.<\/p>\n
In a petition dated 2 August 2019 and signed by SERAP deputy director
\nKolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “Inviting those suspected to
\nbe involved for interrogation and further questioning, and for them to
\npromptly face prosecution as appropriate, would show that no one is
\nabove the law. It would be entirely consistent with the exercise of your
\nmandates to combat corruption, and with both the spirit and the letter
\nof the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state
\nparty.”<\/p>\n
SERAP expressed: “concern that these cases illustrate the growing
\nallegations of massive corruption in constituency projects and the
\nimportance of not only monitoring the projects but thoroughly and
\neffectively investigating reported cases of corruption and promptly
\nbringing suspected perpetrators to justice.”<\/p>\n
According to the organization, “When members of the National Assembly
\ndivert constituency projects for personal use, the essence of such
\nprojects is defeated, and the integrity of the mechanism compromised.”<\/p>\n
The petition, copied to Professor Itse Sagay, Chairman, Presidential
\nAdvisory Committee Against Corruption, read in part: “Corruption in the
\nprovision of public services such as healthcare affects and distorts the
\ndelivery of services and the right to the highest attainable standard of
\nhealth. As the recoveries by the ICPC have shown, cases of corruption in
\nconstituency projects cause under-provision, divert public resources, or
\nsimply limit access to public services or make them unavailable.”<\/p>\n
“SERAP notes Section 15(5) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as
\namended) to the effect that ‘The State shall abolish all corrupt
\npractices and abuse of power.’ Similarly, the UN Convention against
\nCorruption to which Nigeria is a state party requires the authorities to
\nensure effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions and penalties
\nfor corruption.”<\/p>\n
“The allegations of diversion of constituency projects by public
\nofficers have weakened public confidence in the effectiveness of the
\nmechanism as currently implemented to deliver essential public services
\nto those most in need. Unresolved allegations of corruption in
\nconstituency projects would significantly contribute to impunity for
\ngrand corruption in Nigeria and pose a serious threat to probity in
\npublic life, the rule of law and respect for human rights.”<\/p>\n
“Allegations of corruption in constituency projects meant to be
\nimplemented for the common good and not the personal gains of lawmakers,
\nwould ultimately undermine the principles of representative and
\naccountable government that acts in the public interest, and equality
\nand fairness.”<\/p>\n
“Corruption in the health sector or provision of support to farmers
\nunfairly punishes the poor, and depresses living standards and
\nopportunities for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged population.”<\/p>\n
“Inviting those suspected to be involved for interrogation and further
\nquestioning, and prosecuting them if the recoveries by the ICPC indicate
\nrelevant and sufficient admissible evidence, would show your agencies’
\nwillingness to exert your authorities and act as a deterrent against
\nbreaches of Nigeria’s anti-corruption legislation and international
\nstandards.”<\/p>\n
“SERAP urges both the ICPC and EFCC to jointly act to continue to ensure
\ngreater level of transparency and accountability in the implementation
\nof constituency projects and to name and shame those suspected to be
\ninvolved, if Nigeria is not to continue to witness damaging allegations
\nof diversion and other forms of corruption in the implementation of
\nconstituency projects.”<\/p>\n
“The ICPC reported that it recovered hospital equipment meant for
\nconstituency project on the premises of Mma Obot Foundation, which is
\nallegedly owned by Godswill Akpabio, former governor of Akwa Ibom. Among
\nthe recoveries are dialysis machine, ECG monitor, oxygen regulator,
\nanaesthetic machines, generators and other hospital equipment meant for
\na cottage hospital in Ukana, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa
\nIbom State.”<\/p>\n
“The ICPC also recovered six tractors from a farm belonging to Isa
\nHamman Misau, a former senator who represented Bauchi central. The
\ntractors were meant for the use of farmers in six local government areas
\nof Bauchi Central Senatorial District. The items were recovered during
\nthe ICPC’s ongoing tracking of constituency projects around the
\ncountry.”<\/p>\n
“The tractors formed part of the N430m contract for the supply of
\npumping machines and other agricultural machinery to farmers in the
\nsenatorial district, which was awarded in 2015 by the Federal Government
\nas part of the senators’ constituency projects across the nation. The
\nsum of N76.6m was said to be paid for the tractors in December 2015,
\nwhich were supplied in March 2016.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has petitioned Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Ibrahim Mustafa Magu, Acting Chairman Economic and Financial…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":56720,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-68153","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-other-news"],"yoast_head":"\n