Crime

Anti-Corruption Groups Demand Action Against Former Kano State Gov, Ganduje and Call for EFCC Chairman’s Resignation

Published by Tope Fakinlede on October 12th, 2024.

Anti-Corruption Groups Demand Action Against Former Kano State Gov, Ganduje and Call for EFCC Chairman’s Resignation

A coalition of 30 anti-corruption civil society organizations (CSOs) has called for the resignation of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ola Olukoyede due to his alleged inaction regarding the prosecution of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. Ganduje is facing serious allegations of fraud and bribery, including the notorious “dollar video” scandal.

Under the banner of the “Global Initiative for Corruption Eradication” (GICE), the CSOs are urging the immediate arrest of Ganduje, claiming the EFCC is protecting him with backing from the federal government. Anthony Onoja, the spokesperson for GICE, criticized the EFCC’s lack of action, stating, “Over N50 billion in diverted local government funds and the dollar video scandal seem to have been ignored. It has been over 2,200 days since the dollar video surfaced, yet the EFCC remains silent.”

The activists are calling on both Nigerians and international bodies to pressure the EFCC into taking decisive action, emphasizing that if Olukoyede fails to prosecute Ganduje, he should resign. “The chairman of the EFCC must step down if he does not arrest and prosecute Governor Ganduje according to our laws,” they declared.

The group condemned the EFCC for straying from its core mission and accused it of political bias. They pointed out that while some public officials are held accountable, others like Ganduje evade scrutiny. Onoja remarked, “The prevailing view among Nigerians is that the EFCC has become a political tool used by the current government to target rivals and perceived enemies.”

Now serving as the national chairman of the ruling party, Ganduje remains under investigation for numerous corruption claims but has repeatedly missed court appearances related to bribery and misappropriation charges. The activists detailed several instances where Ganduje failed to show up in court, noting that his case has faced multiple adjournments without resolution.

Despite requests for an arrest warrant, the judge indicated that Ganduje and his co-defendants might be tried in absentia if they continue to evade the court.

The CSOs expressed concern that the EFCC, once lauded for its establishment under former President Obasanjo, has lost its effectiveness. They even suggested the possibility of disbanding the commission due to its current state of “constitutional illegality,” as highlighted by various states challenging its authority at the Supreme Court. They concluded, “If the EFCC is disbanded in its current form, it might finally fulfill its intended purpose of combating corruption effectively.”