The Chairman of the Presidential
Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption (PACAC), Professor Itse Sagay has faulted
the delay of the Presidency in deciding the fate of the suspended Secretary to
the Federal Government (SGF), Babachir Lawal, and Director-General of the
National Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke.
In an interview on Channels
Television, Sagay said that action had been “much too slow” and called for
definitive steps.
Despite faulting the slow pace of
action in prosecuting alleged corrupt members of the Buhari administration,
Sagay said he had no doubt about the commitment of the government in fighting
corruption.
“I have no doubt in my mind that
the present government is actually fighting corruption in accordance with its
mandate and promises. There is no question about that,” he said during an
appearance on Sunday Politics with Seun Okinbaloye.
“But on the specific issue of the
suspended Secretary to the Federal Government and the Director of the NIA, I
would agree that action has been much too slow and there should be immediate
decision on this matter so that we can put it to rest and move on. I agree with
that,” he added.
Beyond the criticism that has
trailed the delay in deciding the fate of both the SGF and NIA DG, the Buhari
administration’s anti-corruption war has been labelled selective with many
people arguing that it is targeted at members of the opposition.
For Sagay, who believes the
government is fighting corruption with “all its might and resources”, there is
no justification for such a view.
“I think there is an even-handed
approach to the issue of fighting corruption. Everybody who is suspected of
corruption or the commission of economic and financial crimes will be
investigated and the EFCC and the ICPC who are the bodies who are invested with
the authority to act in such matters will act in accordance with their own
priority.
“I think we should make it clear.
We cannot handle all cases of corruption at the same time. As you know, in this
country, cases of corruption go right from the top and permeate to the lowest
level.
“So, there are hundreds of
thousands of corruption cases. It makes sense for the agencies to choose what
to pick and what to drop,” he said.
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No they are been treated with perfumes and royal respect because they are party members. But if they are opposition they will be treated with insecticide.
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