The Presidency has stated that the government would continue with its anti-graft no matter whose ox is gored
In an obvious reference to Sunday’s statement issued by Colonel Dangiwa Umar, rtd, former Military governor of Kaduna State, condemning the Federal Government anti-corruption fight as lopsided against the opposition, the presidency said, Monday, “The war against corruption is here to stay. As long as President Muhammadu Buhari is in power, Nigerians can rest assured of that.
Umar had said : “Most fair minded Nigerians are no more impressed and are indeed skeptical with the conduct of this government’s anti-corruption war which appears to be aimed at the neutralization and destruction of the opposition, he said the continuous detention of Col M.S Dasuki, former National Security Adviser to the immediate past administration was biased and unjustified in the face of a ruling by a competent court against his continued detention
“It is over one year since three law courts, including ECOWAS Court granted bail to Col. M.S. Dasuki. The Federal Government has however refused to release him citing the untenable excuse of the grievous nature of his offense. Our extant constitution is quite clear on this issue.
“The Federal Government does not have the power to determine which offence
is bailable or whether an accused person is deserving of bail. It should therefore obey courts’ decisions and release Col. Dasuki without any further delay. His unlawful detention, campaign of calumny and pretrial publicity makes it impossible for him to receive a fair trial.
“The only explanation one can find for Col. Dasuki’s lengthy detention without trial is that he belongs to the wrong camp. He has also the misfortune of having served as National Security Adviser to the much- vilified Nigerian President of Ijaw extraction.
“Colonel Dasuki’s fate is tied to that of his former principal President Goodluck Jonathan; an honourable and patriotic Nigerian who conceded defeat and congratulated the winner of the 2015 Presidential election Gen. Muhammadu Buhari even before INEC declared the final results, when he could have held on tenaciously to power as is the norm in many Third World countries.
“This rare act of statesmanship which pulled the country back from the precipice has been rewarded with utmost disrespect and derision by the APC Federal Government, President Jonathan is the most maligned Nigerian former Head of State. Col. Dasuki is paying dearly for his loyal service to this patriot. All well-meaning Nigerians must speak out against his unfair and unlawful treatment.
“We cannot afford to remain neutral in the face of this monumental injustice. When one Nigerian is unlawfully detained all of us must have the moral consciousness to feel psychologically incarcerated.
“The decision by the Federal Government of Nigeria to suspend the SGF Mr David Babachir Lawal and the DG NIA Mr Ayodele Oke while they are being investigated is a welcome development in its war against corruption.
“It is also remarkable and commendable that the Government has decided not
to detain the duo while they are being investigated. This is a welcome departure from the prevailing anti democratic process by which accused persons, particularly from the opposition camp, are unlawfully detained pending the commencement of investigations, or refused bail granted by law courts.
“There is national unanimity in support of the war against corruption which is expected to be non-discriminatory and waged by a meticulous adherence to the rule of law. For the war to be meaningful and sustainable, it must be elevated beyond a President Buhari personal struggle to a national one,” Umar stated.
Presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, condemned Umar’s media attack.
The government, he said, “It will not succumb to media attacks. It will not be deterred by false accusations. It will not be quenched by disgruntled elements.’’
He said that “A number of Nigerian elite who are uncomfortable with the disruption of business as usual, have fought viciously, usually via the media.
“However, this comment, coming from Umar, is highly disappointing because he is not in a position to label accusations. He should, instead, allow other to do this.
“Curiously, despite the various accusations and media attacks, no one has so far come forth with any evidence of President Buhari’s selective approach to the war against corruption.
If Umar or anyone else feels that they have any evidence to the contrary, they are encouraged to make this public. Ultimately, the final frontier of the war against corruption is the judiciary.
“After the anti-graft agencies have gathered proof of corruption and made arrests, they present the accused before competent courts of the land, who have the final say on who is guilty of corruption and who is not.’
“A number of Nigerian elite have over the years benefitted from various forms of corruption, including monthly payouts from the office of previous National Security Advisers.
“Let me clarify that this is not in reference to Col. Umar in particular.
“The Buhari’s administration has offended so many of our greedy elite by putting a stop to this, plugging many of the holes through which our country’s resources, belonging to each and every one of us, were looted by a few.“
