WED, FEB 26 2020-theG&BJournal- The list is a roll call of Nigeria’s former ‘big men’, all brought down to earth with the chattering reality of possible long-long years in jail. Their conviction process has been long, costly and controversial too. But it does underscore the very slow pace of serving justice in Nigeria, a country were almost every citizen has lost faith in the judiciary.
Depending on which side of the fence you sit, the convictions are either selectively executed or justifiably done. But the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), the corruption albatross seems to be perfectly focused on its targets-the politicians who for decades stripped the country of its commonwealth, without conscience and cyber criminals who are sprouting daily across the country.
‘’And quite frankly, they have done a terrific job about it,’’ one foreign expert told the G&BJournal in Lagos. ‘’If you look at the latest list, they are all (the convicts) connected to the former ruling party or the present one, so I can’t quite relate to the argument that the Commission is selectively picking its prey.’’ He added.
In recent months, the Commission has successfully secured the convictions of some the country’s most renowned politicians. The list includes;
-The conviction of Senator Joshua Dariye, the ex-governor of Plateau State, who was convicted for embezzling N1.16 billion
-Jolly Nyame, ex-governor of Taraba State, convicted for N1.64 billion fraud
-Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, ex-governor of Abia State convicted for N7.6 billion fraud
-Olisa Metuh, ex-Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Publicity Secretary, convicted for laundering N400 million.
The names in the list of high profile, oil subsidy etc matters prosecuted by the EFCC besides those already convicted are stunning. They have all held a vital governance positions in the country
There are also cases of some former ministers and other top government officials presently at the court over their alleged involvement in corrupt practices.
Cyber criminals are also feeling the heat. The EFCC’s recent operation Rewired resulted in the recovery of $169,850 including N92 million of scam money.
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